What's next for retired DIRCO minister Naledi Pandor?
Pandor served as an MP since 1994, and was one of the ministers who did not return to Parliament to serve in the seventh administration.
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor. Picture: @DIRCO_ZA/X
Clement Manyathela sits down with former International Relations and Cooperation minister, Naledi Pandor.
Click audio player below to listen
At the age of 70 and having just retired from her role as the country's International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) minister, one might be forgiven for thinking that Naledi Pandor was looking to slow down.
Instead, Dr Pandor, a former teacher and lecturer, is putting her hard skills to good use on the lecture circuit.
Pandor is one of a number of long-serving MPs who did not return to Parliament for the seventh administration.
But the septuagenarian is far from resting on her laurels, it's just not in her nature, she says.
"I'm missing being busy, because I'm a busy person by nature."
- Naledi Pandor
She admits she has completed a handover with her successor, former minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Ronald Lamola.
And says she's on hand if he needs any further pointers.
"I gave him two thick folders to read, and indicated that I'm available if he has any further questions. I'm sure he's going to do very well."
- Naledi Pandor
Born in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, to anti-apartheid activist parents, Joe and Fikile, Pandor grew up in exile.
She spent time in the United Kingdom and Botswana before returning to South Africa.
Despite coming from a political family, the expectation was not that she follow in the footsteps of her parents.
"Because my father and grandfather were the ones so active in the ANC , the impulse of the family was to keep the children away from politics."
- Naledi Pandor
However, despite the wishes of her family, it didn't take long for the political bug to bite.
"At university I joined the SRC and organised one of the first protests on the campus, and of course, my parents were horrified, they thought we were going to fail or be arrested ."
- Naledi Pandor
So with a long and illustrious career behind her, what's next for Dr Pandor?
" I think it's good to try new things, I would like to get to know the non-profit sector...and also I've never been in the private sector, so that might be fascinating..."
- Naledi Pandor
And who knows, she may even try her hand at the family business...
"My husband and sons are in farming...so I'm looking at driving a truck!"
- Naledi Pandor
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full interview.