The 49-member delegation, which included three ministers, five deputies, three MPs and 38 other government officials "the largest delegation of any country" were sent to attend the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in late February and early March 2011.

The South Africans included Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities Minister Lulu Xingwana, who led the group, Mapisa-Nqakula, Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini and deputy ministers Elizabeth Thabethe of trade and industry, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu of public works, Deputy Police Minister Maggie Sotyu, her health counterpart Gwen Ramokgopa and Deputy Higher Education Minister Hlengiwe Mkhize.

According to The Sunday Times Mapisa-Nqakula failed to attend any of the sessions. All members of the delegation flew on return business class tickets on SAA at a cost of R81,104 per person. The South African mission at the United Nations had complained to the international relations department about the size of the delegation. According to reports, most of the delegates spent their time shopping and clubbing.