Naledi Pandor

About

After serving a five-year term as South African Minister of Education, this African National Congress Party politician held several other high-ranking governmental positions, including Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Science and Technology.

Before Fame

Born Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews, she grew up in Durban, Natal, South Africa, as the granddaughter of politician and anti-apartheid activist Z.K. Matthews.

Trivia

In 1994, she began serving in the South African Parliament.

Family Life

After marrying Sharif Joseph Pandor, she converted to the Islamic faith and gave birth to children named Aisha, Suraya, Usher, and Fazlur.

Associated With

In 1999, then-South African President Thabo Mbeki made Pandor the leader of The National Council of Provinces.