Bilateral relations between Kuwait and South Africa are poised to reach higher levels with the official visit to the country by the South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, H.E. Dr. Naledi Pandor.
The minister, who will head a high-level delegation, is slated to visit Kuwait from 31 March to 01 April, with the aim of boosting bilateral diplomatic and political ties, as well as strengthening trade and economic relations between South Africa and Kuwait.
The official visit is expected to witness the signing of several bilateral agreements between the two friendly countries to further consolidate the existing strong South Africa-Kuwait relations. The bilateral agreements seek to provide a strengthened legal framework that will allow the two countries to vigorously pursue trade, economic, political relations and matters of mutual interest to the two countries in the global arena.
A veteran politician and statesperson, Dr. Pandor has been a long-serving member of the country’s parliament. Since entering parliament as a member in 1994, Dr. Pandor has gained impressive experience in positions of public office, including as Deputy Chief Whip of the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly from 1995 to 1998, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in 1998 and its Chairperson from 1999 to 2004.
Her experience in education policy planning made her a welcome appointment as South Africa’s Minister of Education in 2004. She has been a member of Cabinet ever since, serving as Minister of Education (2004 – 2009), Minister of Science and Technology (2009 –2012), Minister of Home Affairs (2012 – 2014), Minister of Science and Technology (2014 – 2018) and Minister of Higher Education and Training (2018 – 2019).
Minister Pandor holds a Phd from the University of Pretoria (2019) and honorary doctorates from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology; University of Stellenbosch; the University of Lisbon, Portugal; and the University College Dublin, Ireland. She is married to Sharif Pandor and they have four children and two grandchildren.