Former minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Dr Naledi Pandor, has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation board.
This was confirmed by the Nelson Mandela Foundation in a statement on Sunday.
This follows Professor Njabulo Ndebele’s retirement from the position after more than a decade at the helm.
“The Board of Trustees of the Nelson Mandela Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of its new chair, Dr Naledi Pandor.
“Dr Pandor will become only the third person to hold the position since Nelson Mandela established the organisation in 1999 when Professor Jakes Gerwel 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,” the foundation said.
Earlier this year, Pandor announced that she will be leaving active politics after the May elections.
Over the past three decades since being appointed as an MP in 1994, Pandor was subsequently appointed chairperson of the National Council of Provinces by former president Thabo Mbeki in 1999.
She later served as minister of Education from 2004 to 2009 during which time she oversaw an overhaul of the South African education system.
She was appointed as minister of Science and Technology by former president Jacob Zuma in May 2009.
Reacting to his replacement, Ndebele said Pandor’s appointment will put the foundation in good stead.
“Dr Pandor offers the foundation just what it needs for the next phase of its development. I wish her every success in the role.”
While reflecting on his exit from the foundation, Ndebele said: “It is time for me to step away, make way for fresh leadership, and embark on a new phase of my life journey.”
The board and staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation said they were grateful for Professor Ndebele’s contribution and service to the foundation.
“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.”
The Star