Mlambo-Ngcuka aapointed first woman Deputy President

Pretoria--President Thabo Mbeki named Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as his deputy in a cabinet shuffle on Wednesday after the sacking of Jacob Zuma.Mlambo-Ngcuka, 49, becomes the highest-ranking woman in South Africa's government after playing a key role in developing the country's Black Economic Empowerment strategy designed to give black people a greater share in the post-apartheid economy."As you know we have to appoint a new deputy president and therefore we have appointed the minister of minerals and energy as our new deputy," Mbeki said.Mbeki appointed Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Lindiwe Hendricks to take over the important minerals and energy portfolio.