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What an incredible journey it has been! Here are a few moments from the announcement of the 2024 national and provincial election results. Thank you, South Africa, for making our voices heard!
Since then, warm wishes and tributes commemorating Pandor’s work continue to pour in.
DIRCO Director-General, Zane Dangor, described Pandor as one of the most principled and dynamic Ministers he has ever worked with and someone with an “unrivalled” intellect.
Pandor, a former teacher and lecturer, has numerous qualifications under her belt.
In interviews, Pandor credits her love for books and education to her anti-apartheid activist parents, Joe and Fikile Matthews, during the years they spent with her in exile.
Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, she grew up in exile. She completed her education in Botswana and London in the United Kingdom, achieving a professional qualification in teaching and a Master’s Degree in Education.
She holds a PhD from the University of Pretoria, a Master’s Degree in General Linguistics from the University of Stellenbosch, and a Diploma in Leadership and Development from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
She received honorary doctorates from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of Stellenbosch, University of Lisbon, and University College Dublin.
Dangor said Pandor made her mark in all areas she worked in.
“In the last five years, she emerged as one of the world’s leading and valued diplomats,” he added.
Adoration of a daughter
Pandor’s daughter, Dr Aisha Pandor, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to also honour her mother.
She shared that her mom has been a member of the ANC and an activist for as long as she can remember.
“I share a birthday with the ANC, and for most of my life, I proudly spent January 8th with other family or friends, while my parents served the party,” she said.
After being elected as an MP in 1994, Naledi Pandor quickly rose to the position of Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC caucus in 1995. Subsequently, she was elected Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in 1998 and then became chairperson in 1999.
“Since I was almost nine years old, she has served as a member of South Africa’s democratic government. During those three decades, she has led with dedication, integrity, intelligence, wisdom, a love for her country, and a focus on principles, those held high by her religion, upbringing, country and party,” Pandor’s daughter said.
Aisha mentioned that she admired her mother and was excited about the next phase of her life.
“Yesterday, I told her countless times how much I love her; how much she inspires me, and how proud I am of her. I’m also hoping that as by far the most hardworking person I’ve ever met, she finally takes a bit of well-deserved time for rest.”
Gaza
Pandor is celebrated for her fearless advocacy for her country’s stance on Gaza. She has persistently called for increased action against Israel’s invasion of Palestine.
Under her leadership, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to take measures to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza, as well as to provide more assistance to Palestinian civilians. This comes as Israel continues to engage in a conflict with Hamas militants.
The SKA and other ministerial appointments
During her time as Minister of Science and Technology, Pandor and her team successfully secured a competitive bid in 2012 to host part of the future Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope in South Africa.
She has also served as the Minister in the Department of Home Affairs and Department of Education.
Serving with integrity
In 2022, she received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards for the role she played in government.
Former Minister and World Bank Group Executive Director, Ayanda Dlodlo, stated that Pandor’s integrity was unparalleled and that her work ethic was exceptional, demonstrating servant leadership.
“What a woman. What a leader… Hope the next chapter of her life is even more fulfilling with more time with her family and many moments of love and laughter.”
The German Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, also expressed his thoughts on the matter.
“We would like to thank Dr Naledi Pandor, outgoing Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, for her tireless diplomatic work. For Germany, it was a privilege to work with you. Re a leboga, Mme [Thank you, Mother],” the Ambassador said.
Founder of the Kenya Climate Directory, Reuben Wambui, expressed his disappointment at Pandor’s departure from the Cabinet.
“Naledi is the true embodiment of diplomatic genius, and we will really miss seeing her conduct international affairs on the world stage. Thank you Naledi for your excellent service.” – SAnews.gov.za
Ambassador Beryl Rose Sisulu paid a courtesy call on H.E. Manuel Carvalho, Ambassador of Portugal to Mexico, who arrived in Mexico in January 2023 after serving as Ambassador to South Africa for four years.
This meeting highlights the shared intention to further strengthen relations between the two nations, ensuring a prosperous and collaborative future for their citizens.
South Africa and Portugal enjoy close ties, with a significant Portuguese community residing in South Africa.
Bilateral relations have been consistent and cooperative, underpinned by a history of collaboration in the economic, cultural and diplomatic spheres. Both countries are committed to strengthening trade ties and promoting cultural exchange.
South Africa, one of the most developed economies in Africa, and Portugal, with its strategic position in Europe, have found several opportunities to collaborate in sectors such as tourism, technology and education. This ongoing partnership allows for the exploration of new areas of cooperation, benefiting both nations and their citizens.
31 July is Pan African Women’s Day and 2019 marked the 57th anniversary of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO), the Specialised Agency of the AU dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment
In his statement to commemorate the day, the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat noted amongst other things the import of the day pointing out that Pan African Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and acknowledge the Foremothers of Africa who gallantly fought for the liberation and development of this continent.
He also reiterated the important role of African women who continue to be the backbone of our economies as farmers, entrepreneurs, traders, scientists and leaders in many other sectors.
The Chairperson noted that one of his priorities remains the full implementation of the policy organs’ call to have gender parity in the workforce of the AU by 2025 and committee that he will continue to demand dignity and protection for all women and girls who have been forcibly displaced in Africa; remarking that it is the collective responsibility of Africans to hold themselves and their leaders accountable to deliver on the gender equality and women’s empowerment commitments.
The Gandhi Mandela Foundation celebrates International Nelson Mandela Day in Mexico City, led by Adv. Nandan Jha and Dr. Manuel Granados Covarrubias. GMF proudly confers the Gandhi Mandela Award 2020 to 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum.
The Nelson Mandela Chair of Human Rights in the Arts is an initiative of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Embassy of South Africa, with the consent of the Mandela Foundation, born in 2015 through the Coordination of Cultural Dissemination.
It arises in the spirit of recognizing and updating the legacy of Nelson Mandela in his fight against discrimination, injustice and the violation of human rights in Mexico and the world. Starting in 2018, the Mandela Chair enters a new stage and expands its field of action to all the arts -no longer just literature and film-, in order to consolidate itself as a space for interdisciplinary encounters that allow exploring and deepening the link between human rights, critical thinking and the work of the arts, based on a conception of art as a means for social transformation.
The Nelson Mandela Chair of Human Rights in the Arts aims to explore and deepen the link between artistic practice and the defense of human rights. It is a space for reflection and interdisciplinary meeting that starts from a premise: there are images, narratives and artistic practices that make problems visible, cultivate critical thinking and combat discrimination, abuse of power, inequality and various forms of violence and violation of human rights in Mexico.
In particular, the Nelson Mandela Chair of Human Rights in the Arts seeks to consolidate itself as a space for discussion and analysis of various issues related to the defense and promotion of human rights in Mexico.
To this end, it seeks to create links and collaborations with other entities of the Coordination of Cultural Dissemination, academic, artistic, human rights advocacy and research areas within and outside UNAM, as well as the South African Embassy in Mexico. The Nelson Mandela Chair has the generous support of Santander Universities and the Institute of Legal Research of UNAM for its operation.
The Nelson Mandela Chair of Human Rights in the Arts arose in 2015 as an initiative of the UNAM National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Embassy of South Africa in Mexico, with the consent of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, through the Coordination of Cultural Dissemination Culture UNAM.
Its purpose is to recognize and update the legacy of Nelson Mandela in his struggle against discrimination, injustice and violation of human rights in Mexico and the world.
We invite you to learn more about our activities and various initiatives:
