Naledi Pandor

The Honourable
Naledi Pandor
Pandor in 2022
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation
In office
30 May 2019 – 30 June 2024
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputyAlvin Botes
Candith Mashego-Dlamini
Preceded byLindiwe Sisulu
Succeeded byRonald Lamola
Minister of Higher Education and Training
In office
27 February 2018 – 29 May 2019
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
DeputyButi Manamela
Preceded byHlengiwe Mkhize
Succeeded byBlade Nzimande (Higher Education, Science and Technology)
Minister of Science and Technology
In office
26 May 2014 – 26 February 2018
PresidentJacob Zuma
Cyril Ramaphosa
DeputyZanele kaMagwaza-Msibi
Preceded byDerek Hanekom
Succeeded byMmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane
In office
10 May 2009 – 4 October 2012
PresidentJacob Zuma
DeputyZanele kaMagwaza-Msibi
Preceded byMosibudi Mangena
Succeeded byDerek Hanekom
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
2 October 2012 – 25 May 2014
Acting: 2 October 2012 – 4 October 2012
PresidentJacob Zuma
DeputyFatima Chohan
Preceded byNkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Succeeded byMalusi Gigaba
Minister of Education
In office
12 May 2004 – 10 May 2009
PresidentThabo Mbeki
Kgalema Motlanthe
DeputyEnver Surty
Preceded byKader Asmal
Succeeded byAngie 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
PresidentThabo Mbeki
Preceded byMosiuoa Lekota
Succeeded byJoyce Kgoali
Personal details
Born
Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews

(1953-12-07) 7 December 1953 (age 70)
Durban, Union of South Africa
Political partyAfrican National Congress
SpouseSharif Pandor
Children4
Relatives
EducationUniversity of Swaziland (BA)
University of Botswana (BA)
University of London (MA)
Stellenbosch University (MA)
University of Pretoria (PhD)
Academic background
ThesisContested meanings of transformation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa
Occupation
  • Politician
  • educator
  • academic
  • philosopher

  • diplomat
  • legislator

  • anti-apartheid activist

Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor (née Matthews; born 7 December 1953) is a South African politician, educator and academic who served as the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation until 2024. She also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the African National Congress (ANC) from 1994 to 2024.

Born in Durban, Pandor completed high school in Botswana. She qualified as a teacher and taught at multiple schools and universities, while she achieved various degrees from different universities.[1] Pandor took office as a Member of Parliament in 1994.[1] She soon became Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC caucus in 1995.[1] She was elected Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in 1998 and became chairperson in 1999.[1]

She initially became a member of the national cabinet in 2004, following President Thabo Mbeki's decision to appoint her as Minister of Education.[2] She retained her post in the cabinet of Kgalema Motlanthe. Newly elected President Jacob Zuma named her Minister of Science and Technology in 2009.[3] She served in the position until her appointment as Minister of Home Affairs in 2012.[4] She returned to the post of Minister of Science and Technology in 2014 and held it until 2018, when she became Minister of Higher Education and Training in the first cabinet of President Cyril Ramaphosa.[5][6] After the 2019 general election, Pandor was mentioned as a possible candidate for Deputy President of South Africa.[7] She was instead appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.[8] Pandor unsuccessfully stood for re-election to the National Assembly at the 2024 general election.[9]

Pandor is known, in part, for her strong anti-Israel stance.[10][11]

  1. ^ a b c d "Ministers". Mail & Guardian. 1 December 2005. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Meet Mbeki's 'delivery' team". IOL. 29 April 2004. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Jacob Zuma announces cabinet choices". Politicsweb. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  4. ^ "Cabinet reshuffle on cards". IOL. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  5. ^ Nicolson, Greg (26 May 2014). "Who's Who of the Zuma's new Cabinet". The Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  6. ^ Hunter, Qaanitah (26 February 2018). "Ramaphosa swings the axe, cuts 13 from Zuma's Cabinet". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Calls mount for SA to appoint female deputy president". eNCA. 23 May 2019. Archived from the original on 10 November 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  8. ^ Du Plessis, Carien (31 May 2019). "Diplomats hail Naledi Pandor's new International Relations job". The Daily Maverick. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
  9. ^ Patel, Faizel (7 June 2024). "Several ANC members, including Cele and Pandor, not on parly list". The Citizen.
  10. ^ Hunter, Qaanitah. "South Africa has a new top diplomat. What does that mean for Palestine?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
  11. ^ "South African divisions exposed by Israel-Hamas conflict". 7 November 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2024.