Difference between revisions of "Naledi Pandor"
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{{person | {{person | ||
| − | | | + | |description=Ex Minister of International Relations and Cooperation |
|wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naledi_Pandor | |wikipedia=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naledi_Pandor | ||
|image=Naledi_Pandor.webp | |image=Naledi_Pandor.webp | ||
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|birth_date=7 December 1953 | |birth_date=7 December 1953 | ||
|birth_name=Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews | |birth_name=Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews | ||
| + | |political_parties=African National Congress | ||
| + | |employment={{job | ||
| + | |title=SA/Minister of International Relations and Cooperation | ||
| + | |start=30 May 2019 | ||
| + | |end=19 June 2024 | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Dr Naledi Pandor''' is a [[South African]] politician, educator and academic | + | }} |
| + | '''Dr Naledi Pandor''' is a [[South African]] politician, educator and academic who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the [[African National Congress]] (ANC) since 1994. She was foreign minister at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) from 2019 until 2024. On 19 June 2024, upon leaving office, she thanked the staff at DIRCO and at South African missions abroad.<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGW7WJbAP3k "Naledi Pandor's Last Heartwarming Speech as She Leaves Office"]''</ref> [[Ronald Lamola]] was appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, replacing Naledi Pandor.<ref>''[https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-parties-close-reaching-deal-cabinet-local-media-reports-2024-06-30/ "South Africa's Ramaphosa announces cabinet that includes ex-opposition leader"]''</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
| Line 15: | Line 21: | ||
==Ministerial career== | ==Ministerial career== | ||
| − | Naledi Pandor initially became a member of the national cabinet in 2004, following President [[Thabo Mbeki]]'s decision to appoint her as Minister of Education. She retained her post in the cabinet of Kgalema Motlanthe. Newly elected President [[Jacob Zuma]] named her Minister of Science and Technology in 2009. She | + | Naledi Pandor initially became a member of the national cabinet in 2004, following President [[Thabo Mbeki]]'s decision to appoint her as Minister of Education. She retained her post in the cabinet of Kgalema Motlanthe. Newly elected President [[Jacob Zuma]] named her Minister of Science and Technology in 2009. She was in the position until her appointment as Minister of Home Affairs in 2012. She returned to the post of Minister of Science and Technology in 2014 and held it until 2018, when she became Minister of Higher Education and Training in the first cabinet of President [[Cyril Ramaphosa]]. After the 2019 general election, Naledi Pandor was mentioned as a possible candidate for Deputy President of South Africa. She was instead appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. |
==Foreign affairs== | ==Foreign affairs== | ||
| − | In September 2022, [[Dr Pandor]] stood in for [[Cyril Ramaphosa]] at the Seventy-seventh session of the [[United Nations General Assembly]] after he had decided to return to [[South Africa]] due to the ongoing electricity crisis after his working visit in [[Washington DC]]. | + | In September 2022, [[Dr Naledi Pandor]] stood in for [[Cyril Ramaphosa]] at the Seventy-seventh session of the [[United Nations General Assembly]] after he had decided to return to [[South Africa]] due to the ongoing electricity crisis after his working visit in [[Washington DC]]. |
In her address to the [[UN General Assembly]], [[Dr Pandor]] said that all ongoing wars and conflicts around the world should be given equal attention. She also called for [[Israel]] to be held accountable for its "destructive actions" in the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]], for the embargo against [[Cuba]] to be lifted and echoed the [[African Union]]'s call for sanctions against [[Zimbabwe]] to be lifted. | In her address to the [[UN General Assembly]], [[Dr Pandor]] said that all ongoing wars and conflicts around the world should be given equal attention. She also called for [[Israel]] to be held accountable for its "destructive actions" in the [[Israeli–Palestinian conflict]], for the embargo against [[Cuba]] to be lifted and echoed the [[African Union]]'s call for sanctions against [[Zimbabwe]] to be lifted. | ||
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:"That privilege is not just for us it must be for everyone and in any debate we have if we are true to ourselves, if we are true to our history, if we are true to what we've achieved, we will stand up and say what is being done to the [[Palestinian people|people of Palestine]] is wrong, is intolerable and we will not pretend to accept it."<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Fs35kCVvg "Closing Statement by Minister Pandor on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict"]''</ref>}} | :"That privilege is not just for us it must be for everyone and in any debate we have if we are true to ourselves, if we are true to our history, if we are true to what we've achieved, we will stand up and say what is being done to the [[Palestinian people|people of Palestine]] is wrong, is intolerable and we will not pretend to accept it."<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2Fs35kCVvg "Closing Statement by Minister Pandor on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict"]''</ref>}} | ||
| + | ===Going to Court=== | ||
On 12 November 2023, [[Dr Pandor]] called on the [[ICC]] to speed up its investigation of [[Israeli]] [[war crimes]] in the [[2023-2024 Israel-Hamas War]] and stated warrants of arrest should be issued for [[Israeli]] Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]].<ref>''[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/12/israel-gaza-war-live-israeli-army-surrounding-al-quds-hospital?update=2480833 "Netanyahu should be arrested: South Africa’s foreign minister"]''</ref> | On 12 November 2023, [[Dr Pandor]] called on the [[ICC]] to speed up its investigation of [[Israeli]] [[war crimes]] in the [[2023-2024 Israel-Hamas War]] and stated warrants of arrest should be issued for [[Israeli]] Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]].<ref>''[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/12/israel-gaza-war-live-israeli-army-surrounding-al-quds-hospital?update=2480833 "Netanyahu should be arrested: South Africa’s foreign minister"]''</ref> | ||
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On 14 January 2024, [https://twitter.com/heatherbarr1 Heather Barr tweeted:]{{QB| | On 14 January 2024, [https://twitter.com/heatherbarr1 Heather Barr tweeted:]{{QB| | ||
:This clip of [[South Africa]]’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor is well worth watching to understand how the [[South African]] govt sees the [[ICJ]] case.<ref>''[https://twitter.com/heatherbarr1/status/1746482842333245723 "This clip of South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor is well worth watching"]''</ref>}} | :This clip of [[South Africa]]’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor is well worth watching to understand how the [[South African]] govt sees the [[ICJ]] case.<ref>''[https://twitter.com/heatherbarr1/status/1746482842333245723 "This clip of South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor is well worth watching"]''</ref>}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | On 24 January 2024, ''[[Al Jazeera]]'' reported that Naledi Pandor is travelling to [[The Hague]] to be present at the [[ICJ]] on 26 January 2024 at noon, when the Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the [[Israeli]] [[genocide]] in [[Gaza]].<ref>''[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/24/icj-to-decide-on-emergency-measures-in-israel-gaza-genocide-case-this-week "ICJ to decide on emergency measures in Israel-Gaza genocide case on Friday"]''</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Speaking outside the ICJ=== | ||
| + | {{YouTubeVideo | ||
| + | |code=BN32kKHguG8 | ||
| + | |align=right | ||
| + | |width=400px | ||
| + | |caption=Naledi Pandor reacts to [[ICJ]]'s [[Israeli]] [[genocide]] ruling | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | Interviewed on the steps of the [[International Court of Justice]] at [[The Hague]], International Relations and Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor welcomed the [[ICJ]]'s Judgment of 26 January 2024. Pandor said the Judgment was a victory for [[Palestinian people|people of Palestine]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[ICJ]] ordered [[Israel]] to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of [[genocide]] in the [[Gaza Strip]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Israel]] must prevent destruction in the besieged enclave and ensure that basic needs are delivered in the strip. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This after [[South Africa]] dragged [[Israel]] to the [[World Court]] for a ceasefire in [[Gaza]].<ref>''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN32kKHguG8 "SA-Israel case: Pandor welcomes ICJ order"]''</ref> | ||
{{SMWDocs}} | {{SMWDocs}} | ||
| − | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Latest revision as of 02:30, 12 September 2024
 Naledi Pandor    (politician, educator, academic) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews 7 December 1953 |
| Alma mater | University of Swaziland, University of Botswana, University of London, Stellenbosch University, University of Pretoria |
| Party | African National Congress |
Dr Naledi Pandor is a South African politician, educator and academic who has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for the African National Congress (ANC) since 1994. She was foreign minister at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) from 2019 until 2024. On 19 June 2024, upon leaving office, she thanked the staff at DIRCO and at South African missions abroad.[1] Ronald Lamola was appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, replacing Naledi Pandor.[2]
Contents
Background
Born in Durban, Naledi Pandor completed high school in Botswana. She qualified as a teacher and taught at multiple schools and universities, whilst she achieved various degrees from different universities. Pandor took office as a Member of Parliament in 1994. She soon became Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC caucus in 1995. She was elected Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in 1998 and became chairperson in 1999.
Ministerial career
Naledi Pandor initially became a member of the national cabinet in 2004, following President Thabo Mbeki's decision to appoint her as Minister of Education. She retained her post in the cabinet of Kgalema Motlanthe. Newly elected President Jacob Zuma named her Minister of Science and Technology in 2009. She was in the position until her appointment as Minister of Home Affairs in 2012. She returned to the post of Minister of Science and Technology in 2014 and held it until 2018, when she became Minister of Higher Education and Training in the first cabinet of President Cyril Ramaphosa. After the 2019 general election, Naledi Pandor was mentioned as a possible candidate for Deputy President of South Africa. She was instead appointed Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Foreign affairs
In September 2022, Dr Naledi Pandor stood in for Cyril Ramaphosa at the Seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly after he had decided to return to South Africa due to the ongoing electricity crisis after his working visit in Washington DC.
In her address to the UN General Assembly, Dr Pandor said that all ongoing wars and conflicts around the world should be given equal attention. She also called for Israel to be held accountable for its "destructive actions" in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, for the embargo against Cuba to be lifted and echoed the African Union's call for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted.
On 23–26 January 2023, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov visited South Africa and several other African states. Dr Pandor thanked Lavrov for the "most wonderful meeting" and described Russia as a "valued partner."
Reacting to the ICC arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Dr Pandor criticised the International Criminal Court for not having what she called an "evenhanded approach" to all leaders responsible for violations of international law. South Africa invited President Putin to the 15th BRICS Summit of leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa in August 2023. As South Africa is a signatory to the Rome Statute, the presence of Vladimir Putin was in doubt. In May 2023, Dr Pandor announced that she had approved diplomatic immunity for President Putin and his officials so that they could attend the 15th BRICS Summit despite the ICC arrest warrant.[3]
Israeli–Palestinian conflict
| "What's being done to the people of Palestine is wrong, is intolerable and we will not pretend to accept it." |
On 7 November 2023, closing the debate in Parliament on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Dr Pandor began by saying:
She concluded with:
- "We believe all human beings enjoy the right to exist in freedom enjoying Justice and humanity, and that is the message that has to come out of this House. This House cannot stand up for abuse, and cannot stand up for the infringement of other human beings' rights no matter who those human beings are. We've never sought retribution.
- "I have the story of my grandfather who died of a broken heart. He was a tailor and he had worked very hard to make enough money to buy a house in Durban and they got that house. My grandfather and my grandmother, two years after they got it, the area was declared a white area. They lost that house without compensation and he essentially died of a broken heart.
- "I have no retribution because today I'm part of a government seeking to build a better South Africa and our role must be to seek to build a better world. The benefits we enjoy are human rights, a fantastic constitution, of having institutions that are democratic and work for all of us.
- "That privilege is not just for us it must be for everyone and in any debate we have if we are true to ourselves, if we are true to our history, if we are true to what we've achieved, we will stand up and say what is being done to the people of Palestine is wrong, is intolerable and we will not pretend to accept it."[4]
Going to Court
On 12 November 2023, Dr Pandor called on the ICC to speed up its investigation of Israeli war crimes in the 2023-2024 Israel-Hamas War and stated warrants of arrest should be issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.[5]
On 12 January 2024, Dr Pandor responded to personal attacks she has faced following South Africa’s announcement that it is taking Israel to the International Court of Justice on allegations that it is subjecting Palestinians in Gaza to genocidal acts.[6]
On 14 January 2024, Heather Barr tweeted:
- This clip of South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor is well worth watching to understand how the South African govt sees the ICJ case.[7]
On 24 January 2024, Al Jazeera reported that Naledi Pandor is travelling to The Hague to be present at the ICJ on 26 January 2024 at noon, when the Court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the Israeli genocide in Gaza.[8]
Speaking outside the ICJ
| Naledi Pandor reacts to ICJ's Israeli genocide ruling |
Interviewed on the steps of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, International Relations and Co-operation Minister Naledi Pandor welcomed the ICJ's Judgment of 26 January 2024. Pandor said the Judgment was a victory for people of Palestine.
The ICJ ordered Israel to take measures to prevent and punish direct incitement of genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Israel must prevent destruction in the besieged enclave and ensure that basic needs are delivered in the strip.
This after South Africa dragged Israel to the World Court for a ceasefire in Gaza.[9]
Events Participated in
| Event | Start | End | Location(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munich Security Conference/2020 | 14 February 2020 | 16 February 2020 | Germany Munich Bavaria | The 56th Munich Security Conference, in 2020, "welcomed an unprecedented number of high-ranking international decision-makers." |
| Munich Security Conference/2022 | 18 February 2022 | 20 February 2022 | Germany Munich Bavaria | Slightly less than 1/3 of the 664 of the participants have pages here |
Related Document
| Title | Type | Publication date | Author(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document:ICJ to decide on emergency measures in Israel-Gaza genocide case this week | Article | 24 January 2024 | Al Jazeera staff | South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor will travel to The Hague to be present at the International Court of Justice as it rules on the Israeli genocide in Gaza. |
References
- ↑ "Naledi Pandor's Last Heartwarming Speech as She Leaves Office"
- ↑ "South Africa's Ramaphosa announces cabinet that includes ex-opposition leader"
- ↑ "South Africa grants Putin diplomatic immunity for BRICS summit"
- ↑ "Closing Statement by Minister Pandor on the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict"
- ↑ "Netanyahu should be arrested: South Africa’s foreign minister"
- ↑ "'Insults are the last refuge of a scoundrel' - Pandor on personal attacks faced after ICJ case"
- ↑ "This clip of South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor is well worth watching"
- ↑ "ICJ to decide on emergency measures in Israel-Gaza genocide case on Friday"
- ↑ "SA-Israel case: Pandor welcomes ICJ order"
