Naledi Pandor, former Minister of Education

We as a government have committed ourselves to strengthening higher education in South Africa. This Institute is a part of that effort. We want the Institute to offer new beginnings, new opportunities, and new possibilities. It is absolutely vital that we change and transform our country. The quality of education offered is still not the quality we want. As we improve, every child should come to see his or her opportunities for a better future. I would like us to think and dream of the possible. I have always been inspired by persons such as our former President Mr Nelson Mandela. My inspiration is not based on him being president, but rather on the fact that he and many, many of his generation always believed “freedom in our lifetime; freedom in our lifetime”. And this freedom we have today we will use to ensure that every child in South Africa has the opportunity to realise his or her fullest potential. The launch of the Nelson Mandela Institute is a great moment for South Africa. As the national department we look forward to working together in a special kind of partnership to ensure that Madiba’s dreams for all learners in South Africa are realised.

Minister of Education, Honourable Naledi Pandor
August 2007