Naledi Pandor

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Naledi Pandor (born Grace Naledi Mandisa Matthews; 7 December 1953) is a South African politician, academic, and convert to Islam, turned bigot, who served as Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) from 2019 to 2024. She is widely regarded by organisations and the South African Jewish community as one of the most viciously anti-Israel and antisemitic figures in contemporary African politics.[1][2] Pandor spearheaded South Africa’s baseless 2023 “genocide” case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, a move condemned as a propaganda gift to Hamas and diplomatic cover for terrorism.[3] She has repeatedly glorified “jihad” and “armed struggle” against Israel, wished to fight “shoulder to shoulder” with Hamas militants in Gaza, and scoffed at Jewish concerns about antisemitism.[4][5] In November 2025 the Trump administration revoked her U.S. visa, citing her “open support for terrorism and endorsement of violent jihads.”[6]

Early life and education

Born in Durban to anti-apartheid activist Joe Matthews, Pandor spent part of her childhood in exile in Botswana, where she completed secondary education and later met her future husband, Sharif Pandor. She earned degrees from the University of Botswana and the University of Swaziland (now Eswatini) and advanced diplomas from Bryn Mawr College and Harvard Kennedy School.

Conversion to Islam

In the 1970s Pandor converted to Islam upon marrying Sharif Pandor and adopted the name Nadia. Her faith has driven her increasingly radical anti-Israel activism, including wearing a "Palestinian" keffiyeh at official events and repeatedly invoking jihad as a legitimate response to Israel’s existence.[7][8]

Political career

Pandor held multiple cabinet portfolios under the ANC before becoming Minister of International Relations (2019–2024). She lost her parliamentary seat in the 2024 elections and now chairs the Nelson Mandela Foundation, an institution she has used to continue anti-Israel campaigning.[9]

Antisemitism and dismissal of Jewish concerns

As early as July 2022, Pandor openly scoffed at Jewish fears of antisemitism, stating she only mentioned the “two-state solution” to avoid being labelled antisemitic — thereby implying that accusations of antisemitism against critics of Israel are baseless and manipulative.[10] The South African Jewish Board of Deputies condemned her remarks as proof of “thorough-going bigotry” and an unwillingness even to consider the Israeli perspective.[11]

Anti-Israel activism and support for Hamas

Pandor telephoned Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh days after the October 7, 2023 massacres to express “solidarity,” refused to watch IDF footage of the atrocities, and refused to designate Hamas a terrorist organisation.[12] She has hosted Hamas delegations in parliament and aligned South Africa with Iran and other state sponsors of terrorism.[13]

ICJ “genocide” case

Pandor personally led South Africa’s December 2023 ICJ case accusing Israel of genocide — a case described by Jewish leaders and analysts as the most extreme anti-Israel action by any government outside the Middle East, leaving South Africa’s 50,000 Jews feeling betrayed and unsafe.[14]

Glorification of jihad and armed struggle

Pandor has repeatedly endorsed violent jihad against Israel:

  • May 2024: At a Cape Town mosque, wearing a keffiyeh, she declared she wished to fight “shoulder to shoulder” with militants in Rafah and led cries of “Allahu Akbar.”[15]
  • 23 August 2025: At a Langa Masjid fundraiser, she proclaimed that “we are permitted to engage in jihad when necessary” and urged young Muslims to become “true activists” in defence of threatened Islamic values — statements widely seen as incitement against Israel.[16]
  • She has claimed Israel has been an “apartheid state” since 1948 and that its “genocide” began on 8 October 2023 — the day Israel was still rescuing its own citizens from Hamas invaders.[17]

U.S. visa revocation

On 21 November 2025 the Trump administration revoked Pandor’s visa, explicitly citing her “open support for terrorism and endorsement of violent jihads,” preventing her from entering the United States to speak at an anti-Israel event.[18]

Legacy

Pandor is viewed by the South African Jewish community and activists worldwide as a dangerous antisemitic extremist who abused high office to mainstream support for Hamas terrorism and calls for violent jihad against the Jewish state. Her actions have severely damaged South Africa’s international reputation and left many South African Jews questioning whether the country remains a safe home.[19][20]
  1. ↑ DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor reveals her true colours scoffing at Jewish concerns over antisemitism. South African Jewish Board of Deputies (2022-07-27).
  2. ↑ Nicola Miltz. "Keffiyeh-clad Pandor pins colours to the mast", SA Jewish Report, 2022-07-28. 
  3. ↑ Adam Kredo (2025-11-21). Trump Admin Revokes Visa From South African Official Who Spearheaded ‘Genocide’ Case Against Israel. Washington Free Beacon.
  4. ↑ Tali Feinberg. "Pandor justifies jihad as sometimes ‘necessary’", SA Jewish Report, 2025-09-04. 
  5. ↑ South African Minister Naledi Pandor At Cape Town Mosque: “I wish I were shoulder to shoulder with the men and women in Rafah”. MEMRI (2024-05-28).
  6. ↑ Adam Kredo (2025-11-21). Trump Admin Revokes Visa From South African Official Who Spearheaded ‘Genocide’ Case Against Israel. Washington Free Beacon.
  7. ↑ Nicola Miltz. "Keffiyeh-clad Pandor pins colours to the mast", SA Jewish Report, 2022-07-28. 
  8. ↑ Tali Feinberg. "Pandor justifies jihad as sometimes ‘necessary’", SA Jewish Report, 2025-09-04. 
  9. ↑ Board of Trustees. Nelson Mandela Foundation.
  10. ↑ DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor reveals her true colours scoffing at Jewish concerns over antisemitism. South African Jewish Board of Deputies (2022-07-27).
  11. ↑ DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor reveals her true colours scoffing at Jewish concerns over antisemitism. SAJBD (2022-07-27).
  12. ↑ Ivan Fallon. "South African Jews felt betrayed even before the UN genocide case", The Sunday Times (UK), 2024-01-28. 
  13. ↑ "Putin's mouthpiece, Iran's attack dog", The Jerusalem Post, 2024-06-01. 
  14. ↑ Ivan Fallon. "South African Jews felt betrayed even before the UN genocide case", The Sunday Times (UK), 2024-01-28. 
  15. ↑ South African Minister Naledi Pandor At Cape Town Mosque. MEMRI (2024-05-28).
  16. ↑ Tali Feinberg. "Pandor justifies jihad as sometimes ‘necessary’", SA Jewish Report, 2025-09-04. 
  17. ↑ "Pandor justifies jihad as sometimes ‘necessary’", SA Jewish Report, 2025-09-04. 
  18. ↑ Adam Kredo (2025-11-21). Trump Admin Revokes Visa From South African Official Who Spearheaded ‘Genocide’ Case Against Israel. Washington Free Beacon.
  19. ↑ Ivan Fallon. "South African Jews felt betrayed even before the UN genocide case", The Sunday Times (UK), 2024-01-28. 
  20. ↑ DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor reveals her true colours scoffing at Jewish concerns over antisemitism. SAJBD (2022-07-27).
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