Former Cabinet Minister
By karabo marifi
Former Cabinet Minister Dr. Naledi Pandor has been appointed as an Honorary Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria (UP), a move celebrated by Higher Education and Training Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane for Pandor’s transformative impact on South African higher education.
A Milestone Achievement
In a statement released on 18 March 2025, Minister Nkabane congratulated Dr. Pandor, calling the appointment a “fitting recognition” of her extensive contributions to the higher education sector. Pandor, who has held key portfolios including Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Higher Education and Training, and most recently, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, is widely respected for her efforts to reshape South African higher education post-apartheid.
“South Africa has positioned itself at the forefront of science, technology, and innovation, thanks to the solid foundation laid by Dr. Pandor,” Nkabane said. She praised Pandor’s “visionary leadership” and her role in ensuring the higher education system serves all South Africans, “irrespective of race, gender, and other forms of exclusion.”
A Key Role at UP
Dr. Pandor will join the Centre for the Advancement of Sustainable Higher Education Futures at UP, where she will contribute to research, student development, and staff growth without remuneration. University Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen welcomed Pandor at an event on UP’s Hatfield campus, noting that her expertise aligns perfectly with the centre’s mission to advance sustainable development in higher education.
“It is truly a privilege to have someone of her calibre joining our academic network in this esteemed role,” Petersen said. He added that Pandor’s appointment followed a rigorous process, including an external peer review and approval by UP’s Senior Appointments Committee.
Academic Excellence and Dedication
Pandor’s academic credentials bolster her new role. In 2019, she earned a PhD in Education from UP with a thesis titled “The contested meaning of transformation in higher education in post-apartheid South Africa.” Petersen highlighted her remarkable ability to balance her duties as a Cabinet Minister with her doctoral studies, a feat that required meticulous planning and a reduction in public engagements.
“Her passion for education stems from her background as a teacher and a lifelong curiosity about the field,” Petersen said. “This honorary professorship is a testament to her academic abilities, her contributions to transformation, and her excellence as a leader with strong ethical values.”
A Legacy of Transformation
Pandor’s influence on South African higher education is profound. During her tenure as Minister, she championed policies to expand access for historically disadvantaged students and played a key role in establishing new institutions like Sol Plaatje University and the University of Mpumalanga. Her work in science and technology also paved the way for projects like the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), enhancing South Africa’s global standing in research and innovation.
Nkabane described Pandor as a personal mentor and a source of inspiration. “It is an honour to stand on the shoulders of giants like Dr. Pandor,” she said. “Her contribution to the sector is invaluable, and I wish her every success in this exciting new chapter.”
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