Ms Bathabile Dlamini was born in Nquthu and grew up in Nkandla, Matshensikazi. 

In 1983 she became one of the founder members of Imbali Youth Organisation, which was one of the affiliates of the UDF where she also cut her political teeth. Imbali Youth Organisation worked very closely with the South African Students Congress and Imbali Civic Organisation.

In 1985 she joined the South African National Students Congress and was one of a few women who participated in student politics and community politics. In 1989, Ms Dlamini graduated from the University of Zululand with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work which she passed with distinction.

In 1991 she became part of the interim leadership that was formed to build the African National Congress Women's League (ANCWL) structures in the Kwa-Zulu Natal (former Natal Midlands region). She was then elected to the first Regional Executive Committee of the ANCWL. In 1992 up until 1993, she served as Regional Secretary.

In 1991 to 1993 she worked as a social worker at an NGO called the Pietermaritzburg Cripples Association.

By the end of 1993, Ms Dlamini was elected as Deputy Secretary General of the ANCWL. She was later elected Secretary General of the ANCWL from 1998 and served for two terms until 2008 (One of the longest serving Secretaries General of the ANCWL). She continued to work tirelessly towards the formation of the Progressive Women's Movement of South Africa.

At the start of the New Millennium, she was appointed as a Member of Parliament.

Ms Dlamini was elected to the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress as well as the National Working Committee in Polokwane in December 2007. In 2008 she worked on a full time basis as a member of the ANC in the office of the president as sectoral work co-ordinator. She is also a member of the National Executive Committee of the ANCWL.

She became Deputy Minister of Social Development between 11 May 2009 and 31 October 2010.  In November 2010, she was appointed the Minister of Social Development. 

During the 2012 ANC National Conference in Mangaung, Free State Province, Minister Dlamini was re-elected as a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC).  In August 2015, she was elected President of the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL). 

On 26 February, Minister Dlamini was appointed the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women (www.women.gov.za).