By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former international affairs minister Naledi Pandor has been appointed as the new chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation board.
Pandor’s appointment follows the retirement of Board Chair Professor Njabulo Ndebele, who has served on the Board for a quarter of a century.
In announcing his successor, Prof 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.” On his own retirement, Prof Ndebele commented:
“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 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 added: “Prof Ndebele has been a compass to us through good times and bad.”
Both Ndebele and Pandor will be attending the 22d Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture in Johannesburg later this week in what will be a ceremonial handing over of the baton.
The lecture will be delivered by Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah at the Linder Auditorium on Saturday, 28 September, under the theme “Realising our shared Humanity.”
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.