Johannesburg – Former minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor has been appointed as the new chair of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Dr. Pandor is the third chair of the Nelson Mandela Foundation since its establishment in 1999.
Professor Jakes Gerwel was the founding chair.
Dr. Pandor’s tenure begins next month on 1 October 2024.
Her appointment follows the retirement of Board Chair Professor Njabulo Ndebele, who has served on the Board for a quarter of a century.
Professor Njabulo served as Chair for over a decade.
Announcing his successor on Monday, (23 September 2024), Professor 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.”
Professor Ndebele added: “It is time for me to step away, make way for fresh leadership, and embark on a new phase of my life journey.”
In a statement, the Board of Trustees said together with the staff of the Nelson Mandela Foundation they were “immensely grateful” to Professor Ndebele for his many years of impeccable service and 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.”
Dr. Pandor worked closely with President Mandela 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.
“I am both honoured and delighted to be entrusted with this role,” said Dr. Pandor.
“In a world facing so many complex challenges, mobilising Madiba’s legacy becomes more important than ever.
“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.”
Both Dr. Pandor and Professor Ndebele will be attending the 22nd Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture later this week in what will be a ceremonial handing over of the baton of the chair.
The lecture on Saturday, (28 September 2024), will be delivered by Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah at the Linder Auditorium.
*This article first appeared in our sister publication techfinancials.co.za
