Not All Heroes Wear Capes—Some Wear a Keffiyeh
…And at least one of them styles her hair in cornrows when the mood strikes her.
Meet Dr Naledi Pandor: a teacher, educationist, technocrat, and humanist who chose the path of politics to foster social and civic change in her native South Africa.
What sets her apart? Her inspiring Mandelaesque vision, deep empathy, strong sense of social responsibility, and unwavering advocacy for justice. Her impressive professional achievements would be the envy of any international bureaucrat:
– Minister of Home Affairs (2012-14)
– Minister of Science & Technology (2009-12 & 2014-18)
– Minister of Higher Education & Training (2018-19)
– Minister of International Relations & Cooperation (2019-24)
– Frontrunner for the position of Deputy President of South Africa (2017)
However, despite her remarkable accomplishments, none can compare to her relentless fight for justice and human rights on behalf of the oppressed and marginalised.
A fierce champion of the anti-apartheid movement, Dr Pandor’s views on social and political justice are shaped by the legacy of Nelson Mandela. She honours this legacy every time she faces the choice between siding with the powerful for personal gain or standing with the oppressed, even if it means facing public backlash. She has consistently chosen the latter
, often without regard for her or her family’s safety.
Her latest fight has brought her face-to-face with an immensely powerful force—one that disregards rules, disrespects international law, and has little regard for human life. In September 2022, she represented her president at the United Nations and delivered a landmark speech calling for equal treatment of all wars and conflicts worldwide, rather than only those prioritised by the veto-wielding West.
Then, she made a revolutionary statement by demanding that Israel be held accountable for its actions of ethnic cleansing in Palestine. This statement was explosive—addressing not just a single occupying force but also those who fund and support it. Not stopping there, on November 29, 2023, South Africa, under Dr Pandor’s leadership, filed a lawsuit wi
th the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold Israel accountable for violating the Genocide Convention through its acts of ethnic cleansing and mass killing of Palestinians.
If one event could be seen as a turning point in world affairs, this would be it. For 77 years, no world power had demonstrated the courage to stand up against Israel and its powerful allies. It was Dr Pandor’s bold leadership that paved the way.
Now, do you understand why we’ve referred to her as a hero? This was no ordinary action. Many stronger figures had attempted similar stands before, only to be met with reputational destruction and excuses from the countries they represented. What Dr Pandor achieved at the ICJ was monumental.
The result? The ICJ and all nations that uphold the rule of law are poised to arrest the fugitive
prime minister of Israel and his ministers. So, the next time a task seems insurmountable, we should remember how one courageous individual altered the course of global politics.
And now for the good news: Dr Naledi Pandor is coming to Canada! Yes! We can meet her at the locations, dates, and times listed below.
– Ottawa (ON): Friday, November 07, 2025. 6-9 pm EST, at Mosaic Banquet Hall, 2465 St. Laurent Blvd.
– London (ON): Saturday, November 08, 2025. 6-9 pm EST, at The Mannor London, 109 Falcon St.
You can buy your tickets from this link: JusticeForAllCanada.org/Events
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