Naledi Pandor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naledi Pandor
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Pandor in 2022
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| Minister of International Relations and Cooperation | |
| In office 30 May 2019 – 30 June 2024 |
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| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Alvin Botes Candith Mashego-Dlamini |
| Preceded by | Lindiwe Sisulu |
| Succeeded by | Ronald Lamola |
| Minister of Higher Education and Training | |
| In office 27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019 |
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| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Buti Manamela |
| Preceded by | Hlengiwe Mkhize |
| Succeeded by | Blade Nzimande (Higher Education, Science and Technology) |
| Minister of Science and Technology | |
| In office 26 May 2014 – 26 February 2018 |
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| President | Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Deputy | Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi |
| Preceded by | Derek Hanekom |
| Succeeded by | Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane |
| In office 10 May 2009 – 4 October 2012 |
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| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Deputy | Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi |
| Preceded by | Mosibudi Mangena |
| Succeeded by | Derek Hanekom |
| Minister of Home Affairs | |
| In office 2 October 2012 – 25 May 2014 Acting: 2 October 2012 – 4 October 2012 |
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| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Deputy | Fatima Chohan |
| Preceded by | Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma |
| Succeeded by | Malusi Gigaba |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 12 May 2004 – 10 May 2009 |
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| President | Thabo Mbeki Kgalema Motlanthe |
| Deputy | Enver Surty |
| Preceded by | Kader Asmal |
| Succeeded by | Angie Motshekga (Basic Education) Blade Nzimande (Higher Education and Training) |
| 2nd Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces | |
| In office 21 June 1999 – 4 May 2004 |
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| President | Thabo Mbeki |
| Preceded by | Mosiuoa Lekota |
| Succeeded by | Joyce Kgoali |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews
7 December 1953 Durban, Union of South Africa |
| Political party | African National Congress |
| Spouse | Sharif Pandor |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives |
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| Education | University of Swaziland (BA) University of Botswana (BA) University of London (MA) Stellenbosch University (MA) University of Pretoria (PhD) |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Contested meanings of transformation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa |
| Occupation |
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Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor (born 7 December 1953) is a South African politician and educator. She served as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation until 2024. She was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for the African National Congress (ANC) from 1994 to 2024.
Naledi Pandor was born in Durban, South Africa. She finished high school in Botswana. She became a qualified teacher and taught at many schools and universities. She also earned several university degrees. Pandor became a Member of Parliament in 1994. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC in 1995. In 1998, she was elected Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. She became its Chairperson in 1999.
In 2004, she joined the national cabinet as Minister of Education. She kept this job under President Kgalema Motlanthe. In 2009, President Jacob Zuma made her Minister of Science and Technology. She then became Minister of Home Affairs in 2012. She returned to the Science and Technology role in 2014. In 2018, she became Minister of Higher Education and Training under President Cyril Ramaphosa. After the 2019 election, she was appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Pandor did not win re-election to Parliament in 2024.
In 2024, Naledi Pandor received the AWIEF Lifetime Leadership Award. This award was given at a ceremony in Cape Town.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews was born on 7 December 1953 in Durban, Natal. Her parents were Regina Thelma and Joe Matthews. Her father was a political activist against apartheid. Her grandfather was the famous academic Z. K. Matthews.
Naledi Pandor went to primary and secondary school in Botswana. She finished high school at Gaborone Secondary School. From 1973 to 1977, she earned a certificate and a bachelor's degree. She studied at the University of Swaziland and the University of Botswana. She then went to London, where she earned a Diploma in Education and a master's degree from the University of London between 1978 and 1979.
In 1992, Pandor earned a diploma in higher education leadership. She then studied at Harvard Kennedy School in 1997. In the same year, she earned another master's degree in linguistics from the University of Stellenbosch. In 2019, Pandor completed her PhD in education at the University of Pretoria. Her research was about changes in higher education in South Africa after apartheid.
Teaching Career and Leadership
Naledi Pandor started her teaching career in 1980 at the Ernest Bevin School in London. She then taught in Gaborone from 1981 to 1984. She also worked as an instructor at the Taung College of Education from 1984 to 1986. From 1986 to 1989, Pandor was a senior lecturer in English at the University of Bophuthatswana. She then became a senior fellow at the University of Cape Town from 1989 to 1994.
While at the University of Bophuthatswana, Pandor led the university's Union of Democratic Staff Associations. She also chaired the Western Cape National Executive Committee of the National Education Coordinating Committee. She was also part of the ANC's Western Cape Education Committee.
Pandor also led the ANC Athlone Central branch. She was also in charge of the Desmond Tutu Education Trust and the Western Cape School Building Trust. From 1992 to 1995, she was the deputy head of the Tertiary Education Fund of South Africa. Later, she became the head of this fund. She also served as deputy chairperson of the Joint Education Trust Board of Trustees.
From 2002 to 2004, she was the chancellor of Cape Technikon. During this time, she was also a member of the governing council of the University of Fort Hare.
Early Political Career
Pandor became a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly after the 1994 general election. She served as Deputy Chief Whip for the ANC from 1995. In 1998, she moved to the National Council of Provinces, which is the upper house of Parliament. She became its Deputy Chairperson.
After the 1999 general election, she was appointed Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. She took office on 21 June 1999. She was the first woman to hold this important position. In 2004, Joyce Kgoali took over from Pandor, becoming the second woman to hold the role.
National Government Roles
Minister of Education (2004–2009)
Naledi Pandor returned to the National Assembly after the 2004 general election. President Thabo Mbeki appointed her as Minister of Education. She started this role on 12 May 2004. During her time as Education Minister, she worked to improve South Africa's education system. She made changes to the country's education approach. When President Mbeki resigned in 2008, President Kgalema Motlanthe kept Pandor in her position.
Minister of Science and Technology (2009–2012)
After the 2009 general election, Jacob Zuma became the new President of South Africa. He divided the Education Ministry into two new departments. In May 2009, he appointed Pandor to the new role of Minister of Science and Technology. In this position, Pandor strongly supported South Africa's bid to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope in the Karoo region. South Africa successfully won the bid to host this major science project.
Minister of Home Affairs (2012–2014)
In October 2012, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma resigned as Minister of Home Affairs. She left to become the Chair of the African Union. President Zuma then appointed Pandor as the acting Minister of Home Affairs on 2 October 2012. Two days later, on 4 October 2012, she was formally appointed to the role. In October 2013, she even served as acting president for one day while President Zuma was away.
Minister of Science and Technology (2014–2018)
After the 2014 general election, President Zuma announced that Pandor would return to the Department of Science and Technology. Malusi Gigaba took over as Minister of Home Affairs. Pandor started her new term on 26 May 2014.
Minister of Higher Education and Training (2018–2019)
When Cyril Ramaphosa became President in February 2018, Pandor was appointed Minister of Higher Education and Training. She took office on 27 February 2018.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (2019–2024)
After the 2019 general election, the Ministry of Higher Education and Training was divided. There was talk that Pandor might become Deputy President of South Africa. However, she was appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. She started this role on 30 May 2019.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Pandor and her department initially called for Russia to withdraw its forces. However, President Ramaphosa reportedly preferred a focus on negotiations. Pandor later adjusted her position to align with the government's view.
In March 2022, Pandor supported the idea of a single African currency. She believed this would help increase trade between African countries.
In September 2022, Pandor represented President Ramaphosa at the Seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly. She spoke about the need to give equal attention to all wars and conflicts worldwide. She also called for Israel to be held responsible for its actions in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. She also asked for sanctions against Cuba and Zimbabwe to be lifted.
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Regarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, Pandor stated that the ICC did not always act fairly towards all leaders. South Africa had invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to the 15th BRICS Summit in August 2023. In May 2023, Pandor announced that she had approved diplomatic immunity for Putin and his officials. This allowed them to attend the summit despite the ICC arrest warrant.
After the October 7th attack on Israel, Pandor had a phone call with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This call reportedly surprised President Cyril Ramaphosa. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies criticized Pandor's reported support for Hamas. They called for her to resign or be dismissed. On 12 November 2023, Pandor called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to speed up its investigation into actions in the Gaza Strip. She also said she expected the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Pandor lost her seat in Parliament in the 2024 general election. This was because her party, the ANC, won fewer seats than before.
Personal Life
Naledi Pandor is married to Sharif Joseph Pandor. They met while she was studying in Botswana. They have four children together.
She converted to Islam after meeting her husband. Her husband's family gave her the Islamic name Nadia. About her religious conversion, Pandor said that her parents supported her. They believed that as long as she worshipped God, they would support her. She also noted that Islamic principles are universal.
See also
In Spanish: Naledi Pandor para niños
