New Chancellor Dr Pandor sets vision for Mandela University at official installation ceremony

13/04/2026

Nelson Mandela University’s newly installed Chancellor, Dr Naledi Pandor, has set out a bold and values-driven vision for the institution, calling for strengthened academic excellence, stronger African collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to justice, dignity and academic freedom.

Speaking at her official installation ceremony at the University’s Madibaz Indoor Sport Centre on Wednesday (8 April 2026), Dr Pandor reflected on the significance of the role and paid tribute to the leadership of her predecessor, Dr Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the entire University community for the esteemed honour you have given my family and I by selecting me to serve as Chancellor of Nelson Mandela University following in the footsteps of the excellent leadership given by our former Chancellor Dr Fraser-Moleketi,” she said.

“It is a welcome pleasure to return to the academic sector and to have the opportunity to once more immerse myself in the sane cooling embrace of intellectual rigour,” said Dr Pandor who herself was an academic, before her transition into politics. She headed several ministries in the South African government and was Minister of Education from 2004 - 2009; then Minister of Higher Education and Training from 2018- 2019,

She commended the University’s trajectory as one defined by strong academic performance, impactful research and meaningful engagement.

“All the reports on the University performance point to a university committed to academic excellence, high quality research performance… and to genuine and effective collaboration with universities throughout the African Continent,” she said.

Grounding her address in the legacy of Nelson Mandela, Dr Pandor called on the University community to embrace ethical leadership and active citizenship.

“President Mandela is renowned for being a leader who called on all people to make every effort to be people who make good trouble … He believed the condition of harm experienced by many should persuade us to make good trouble for change,” Dr Pandor said.

Positioning the University within a complex global context – including where higher education institutions are destroyed in conflict areas – she warned of growing threats to academic freedom and the autonomy of higher education institutions.