Governance

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the good governance of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The delegation of authority to committees or the executive management of the Foundation in no way absolves the Board of Trustees of its responsibility for its decision and actions. The Board of Trustees has collective responsibility to provide effective governance and as such the Trustees must remain independent and objective, serving the interests of the Foundation as a whole. The Board of Trustees meets at least twice a year.
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Professor GJ Gerwel

Chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Former director-general and secretary of the Cabinet in the Office of President Nelson Mandela, and former vice-chancellor of the University of the Western Cape.
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Mr Ahmed Kathrada

Former Rivonia trialist, jailed on Robben Island with Mr Mandela, former Parliamentary Council in the Office of President Mandela.
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Mr Chris Liebenberg

Former minister of finance in the Government of National Unity. Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Audit & Risk Committee.
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Mrs Irene Menell

A prominent philanthropist, Mrs Menell is a trustee of the READ organisation in South Africa, which promotes literacy amongst black people.
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Dr Nthato Motlana

Former chairperson of National African Investments Limited, Dr Motlana is a prominent community leader and philanthropist.
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Professor Njabulo Ndebele

Prominent South African writer, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of the North. Currently the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town.
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Dr Mamphela Ramphele

Former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, now Managing Director of The World Bank. Prominent business woman.
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Mr Tokyo Sexwale

Former political prisoner on Robben Island, former Premier of the Gauteng province, prominent businessman. Chairman of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Investment Committee.

Council of Advisors

The Council of Advisors do not have fiduciary responsibilities. Comprising of senior level members of government, parliamentarians, leaders of industry, philanthropists etc, the Council of Advisors offer their expertise and knowledge to management and the Board of Trustees when called upon to do so.
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Professor Kader Asmal

Former Minister for Education, and Former Minister of Water and Energy Affairs. Current member of Parliament.
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Min Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi

Minister for Public Service and Administration.
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Dr Frene Ginwala

Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa. Current member of the African Union.
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Prof Fink Haysom

Professor in Law, and former Legal Advisor in the Office of President Mandela.
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Min Bridgitte Mabandla

Former Deputy-Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. Current Minister of Justice & Constitutional Development.
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Mrs Graca Machel

Wife of Mr Mandela and former First Lady of Mozambique. Founder of a Foundation for Community Development in Mozambique focusing on women and children in rural areas.
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Mr Mac Maharaj

Former political prisoner on Robben Island and former Minister of Transport.
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Ms Barbara Masekela

Former South African Ambassador to France and now current South African Ambassador to the United States of America.
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Deputy-President Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka

Former Minister for Mineral and Energy Affairs, and former Deputy minister of Trade and Industry. Currently the Deputy-President of the Republic of South Africa.
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Mr Mendi Msimang

Former South African High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Treasurer-General of the African National Congress.
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Mr Joel Netshitenzhe

Former Chief Executive Officer of the Government Communication and Information System, and Head of Communication in the Office of President Mandela. Currently in the Office of President Thabo M. Mbeki.
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Judge Dumisa Ntsebeza

Prominent Human Rights Lawyer, and former investigative head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
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Mr Cyril Ramaphosa

Former Chairperson of the Constitutional Assembly, now Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Shanduka Group of Companies.
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Advocate Themba Sangoni

Ruling Chief in Umtata and prominent lawyer in the area who sometimes acts as Judge in the Supreme Court. He was also part of the bargaining chamber for the Public Service Commission in the Labour Court.
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Minister Lindi Sisulu

Former Deputy Minister of Intelligence, and daughter of the prominent ANC leader, Mr Walter Sisulu who was also imprisoned with Mr Mandela on Robben Island. Currently the Minister of Housing.
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Dr Franklin Sonn

Former South African Ambassador to the United States of America, former Rector of the Peninsula Technikon, prominent businessman. Member of the Nelson Mandela Foundation Audit & Risk Committee.