Dr. Ramphele served as the Managing Director of the World Bank Group between 2000 and 2004, becoming the first African and only the second woman to be appointed to the post. Her responsibilities included managing the Bank's human development activities in education, health, nutrition, population and social protection.

Prior to joining the World Bank, she was the first woman, and the first black South African, to hold the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town. In 2004-2005 she chaired the Global Commission on International Migration organised by the United Nations and several member states.

Dr. Ramphele serves on the boards of major companies including Anglo American plc. She is a Board member of the Nelson Mandela and Steve Biko Foundations. In 2004, Dr. Ramphele was voted one of the Top 100 Great South Africans.

Published Work:

• Laying Ghosts to Rest (2008)
  
• Remaking a World: Violence, Social Suffering, and Recovery (2001; co-edited)
  
• Violence and Subjectivity (2000; co-edited)
  
• Mamphela Ramphele - A Life (1995)
  
• The Affirmative Action Book (1995)
  
• A Bed Called Home (1993)
  
• Restoring the Land (1992)
  
• Bounds of Possibility: the Legacy of Steve Biko (1991; co-edited)
  
• Uprooting Poverty: the South African Challenge (1989; co-edited)