Mandela-Dlamini studied at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa and science at Boston University. At Boston she met Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini, elder brother of the King of Swaziland, Mswati III and of Queen Mantfombi of the Zulus). They married in 1973 and had four children – Zaziwe (born 1977), Zamaswazi (1979), Zinhle (1980) and Zozuko (1992) – but are currently separated. They are co-owners of Mandela, Dlamini and Associates (International Business Consultants).