Ambassador Nomvume Pearl Magaqa was born in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa. As a young person growing up in the former Transkei, Nomvume became influenced by the developments at that time as well as by the student political movements. This led her to become conscious of the skewed socio political and economic landscape of her country of birth and the effects of the racist policy of apartheid on the majority of South Africans. A deeper understanding of South African history motivated her to become a firm believer in equality, justice, freedom and emancipation of women.

Unable to withstand the unjust and inferior treatment that prevailed upon people of color, Ambassador Magaqa joined the African National Congress (ANC) with the quest of liberating South Africa. The journey in the ANC culminated in her spending a decade in political exile in various countries both on the African continent and beyond.

In the period of political exile Amb. Magaqa earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters degree in Education at Sofia University in Bulgaria.  As a young cadre within the echelons of the ANC, Ambassador Magaqa worked to bring about justice and highlight issues of relevance and significance. She served the liberation movement in various capacities, particularly in the field of education.

Following the unbanning of all liberation movements and political formations in 1989, Ambassador Magaqa returned home to South Africa. In the period leading to the 1994 elections she worked for the African National Congress. Later she assumed various management positions at companies such as Daimler Chrysler and Transnet. Post 1994, Amb. Magaqa began carving her career in the South African public sector. In her work for the Government of South Africa she was previously appointed as Chief Director in the Offices of the Ministers of Public Enterprises and Transport respectively.

In 2005 Nomvume Magaqa was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Thailand concurrently accredited to the Union of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

In 2008, she assumed the duty as the Consul General of the Republic of South Africa to the fourteen (14) States in the Midwest. In this role, she diligently contributes to bridging intercultural gaps between South Africa and the United States. She continues to engage Americans to take a keen interest in forming partnerships and to invest in South Africa.

In addition to her commitment of making a difference in the lives of ordinary people, Ambassador Magaqa is a mother to two daughters.