Naledi Pandor, a former minister of cooperation and international relations, has been named the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s new board chair.
The first day of her term is October 1.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation stated in a media release on Monday that Pandor will succeed eminent scholar Professor Njabulo Ndebele as board chairperson.
“The board of trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of its new chair, Dr Naledi Pandor,” said the foundation.
“Dr Pandor will become only the third person to hold the position since Nelson Mandela established the position in 1999, when Professor Jakes Grewel became the founding incumbent.
“Her tenure begins on the 1st of October 2024. The appointment follows the retirement of board chair Professor Njabulo Ndebele, who has served on the board for a quarter of a century and served as chair for over a decade.”
Next phase of development
In announcing his successor, Ndebele said: “Dr Pandor offers the foundation just what it needs for the next phase of its development. I wish her every success in the role.”
“It is time for me to step away, make way for fresh leadership, and embark on a new phase of my life journey.”
The foundations said: “The board and staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation are immensely grateful to Prof Ndebele for his many years of impeccable service and for the wise counsel he always brought to the role.”
Acting chief executive, Professor Verne Harris, said: “Prof Ndebele has been a compass to us through good times and bad [times].
“Dr Pandor worked closely with Madiba during South Africa’s first democratic administration in the 1990s and is one of South Africa’s longest-serving members of parliament.
“She has served in numerous leadership roles with distinction, the most recent being that of international relations minister.”
Pandor expressed happiness at her appointment.
“I am both honoured and delighted to be entrusted with this role. In a world facing so many complex challenges, mobilising Madiba’s legacy becomes more important than ever,” said Pandor.
“I believe that the Nelson Mandela Foundation is doing critically important work in the social justice space, and I am looking forward to making a meaningful contribution.”
Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture
The foundation said both Pandor and Ndebele will be attending the 22nd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture later this week “in what will be a ceremonial handing over of the baton”.
“The lecture will be delivered by Nobel Peace Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah at the Linder Auditorium on Saturday, 28 September,” it said.
“The theme is realising our shared humanity.”
The appointment comes a week after Pandor denied EFF leader Julius Malema’s claims that she received a bond for her home from the now-defunct VBS Mutual Bank.
Pandor stated in a media statement that there is no truth to Malema’s claims and urged him to openly provide proof for his assertions.
If he does not, she demands that he publicly apologise for lying about her.
