Naledi Pandor

The Honourable
Naledi Pandor
MP
Minister of Higher Education and Training
Assumed office
28 February 2018
President Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by Hlengiwe Mkhize
Minister of Science and Technology
In office
25 May 2014 – 28 February 2018
President Jacob Zuma
Cyril Ramaphosa
Preceded by Derek Hanekom
Succeeded by Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane
Minister of Home Affairs
In office
4 October 2012 – 25 May 2014
Acting: 2 – 4 October 2012
President Jacob Zuma
Preceded by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
Succeeded by Malusi Gigaba
Minister of Science and Technology
In office
10 May 2009 – 4 October 2012
President Jacob Zuma
Preceded by Mosibudi Mangena
Succeeded by Derek Hanekom
Minister of Education
In office
12 May 2004 – 10 May 2009
President Thabo Mbeki
Kgalema Motlanthe
Preceded by Kader Asmal
Succeeded by Ministry Split
National Council of Provinces Chairperson
In office
21 June 1999 – 4 May 2004
Preceded by Mosiuoa Lekota
Succeeded by Joyce Kgoali
Personal details
Born (1953-12-07) 7 December 1953
Durban, Natal Province, Union of South Africa
Political party African National Congress
Spouse(s) Sharif Joseph Pandor
Relations
Children 4
Alma mater
[1]

Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor (née Matthews, born 7 December 1953)[2] is the South African Minister of Higher Education, serving as of 28 February 2018, having previously held the post from 2009-2012. She was Minister of Home Affairs from 2012-2014. She was appointed to the cabinet following the 2004 South African general elections. She previously served as Minister of Education (2004–2009) in the cabinets of both Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe.

Early life

Pandor was born in Durban, Natal. Her grandfather was Z.K. Matthews, a respected anti-apartheid teacher and reformist, who was a member and Cape President of the African National Congress. Her father was Joe Matthews, a respected anti-apartheid activist and lawyer.

Personal life

Pandor is married to Sharif Joseph Pandor and has four children,[2] Fazlur, Aisha, Suraya and Haroon. She converted to Islam after she met her husband while studying in Botswana, her in-laws gave her the Islamic name of Nadia. On her religious conversion Pandor said: "My parents said God is God. As long as you worship Him we will support you and the Islamic principles are universal. Certainly, Islam demands much more of you in terms of observance."

Politics

She was elected to parliament in 1994 and was appointed Chairperson of The National Council of Provinces by President Thabo Mbeki in 1999. She served as Minister of Education from 2004 until 2009[2] under Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe. She oversaw a complete overhaul of the Education system under her tenure and proposed reforms to the country's perceived failure of the implementation of Outcomes Based Education (OBE). She was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in May 2009[2] by President Jacob Zuma and served as a driving force in South Africa to host the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in the Karoo.

On 2 October 2012, President Jacob Zuma appointed Pandor to the position of Minister of Home Affairs[2] after her predecessor, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma resigned to take up her position as Chairman of the African Union. Following Zuma's re-election in 2014, she was replaced as Home Affairs Minister and returned to the Department of Science and Technology.

In March 2017, Naledi Pandor questioned the African National Congress for not implementing a national executive committee decision taken in 2016 to scrutinise party leaders' lifestyles.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "SAHA: Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor". South African History Online. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "CV of Naledi Pandor". South African Government Information. Retrieved 2016-09-19.
  3. ↑ "Minister Naledi Pandor Says The ANC Failed To Implement NEC Decision". Huffington Post South Africa. 2017-03-28. Retrieved 2017-09-06.
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