Dr. Naledi Pandor served as South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 2019 to 2024. In December 2023, under her leadership, South Africa brought a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) addressing Israel’s breaches of the Genocide Convention in Gaza. Justice For All Canada hosted Dr. Pandor throughout 2024 and 2025, convening public events and leadership briefings advancing justice and state accountability. Continue reading to learn how we made critical conversations possible during the height of the genocide in Gaza and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank through our work with Dr. Pandor across Canada.
Born into a legacy of resistance, Dr. Pandor is the daughter of a prominent anti-apartheid activist and widely recognized for her extensive and impactful career in public service. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Science Diplomacy Award, the Outstanding Educator Award, and Germany's Grand Cross of Merit. Additionally, she has received an honorary doctorate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
Born into a legacy of resistance, Dr. Pandor is the daughter of a prominent anti-apartheid activist and widely recognized for her extensive and impactful career in public service. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including the Science Diplomacy Award, the Outstanding Educator Award, and Germany's Grand Cross of Merit. Additionally, she has received an honorary doctorate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
An Evening of Gratitude: Honouring a Human Rights Trailblazer
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In 2025, Justice For All Canada welcomed Dr. Pandor to 5 additional Canadian cities through our “Night for Rights” series, including Ottawa, London, Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton.
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Leadership Briefings with Dr. Naledi Pandor
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Justice For All Canada further organized leadership briefings with civil society actors featuring Dr. Pandor. Community leaders, youth and human rights groups took part in critical discussions on moving Palestine advocacy forward strategically, drawing lessons from South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement.
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Dr. Naledi Pandor’s address in Parliament
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In an historic and impactful parliamentary briefing in Ottawa organized by Justice For All Canada, Dr. Pandor addressed 30 members of parliament and senators from across party lines, alongside representatives from leading humanitarian and human rights organizations. Speaking to her role and personal experience during South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle and her government’s response to the genocide in Gaza, Dr. Pandor provided a direct account of state responsibility and advocacy to an audience of Canadian elected officials and policymakers. The program offered a rare opportunity for the Canadian government to engage with, and hear directly from, an established voice on accountability for global atrocities.
This included an address at Parliament Hill where she spoke to government and civil society leaders about South Africa’s genocide case against Israel. |
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We are grateful for Dr. Pandor’s leadership and the Government of South Africa’s courage for backing her case at the International Court of Justice.
Our work is nowhere near over. Our collaboration and commitment to achieving justice and equality for the Palestinian people has only strengthened. These landmark engagements continue to inform coordinated advocacy bringing together civil society, government leaders, stakeholders and communities for sustained dialogue and action.
Donate now to support and sustain our work.
Our work is nowhere near over. Our collaboration and commitment to achieving justice and equality for the Palestinian people has only strengthened. These landmark engagements continue to inform coordinated advocacy bringing together civil society, government leaders, stakeholders and communities for sustained dialogue and action.
Donate now to support and sustain our work.