Naledi Pandor is South Africa’s recently appointed Minister of Science and Technology. She is the granddaughter of Z. K. Matthews, the first African to register at, and to graduate from, a South African university. Her father, Joe Matthews, was a struggle stalwart, and a life of exile from 1961 until 1984 resulted in a decidedly international flavour to her education. Her higher education qualifications include a BA from the University of Botswana and Swaziland and an MA in Education from the University of London. She completed an MA in Linguistics at the University of Stellenbosch in 1997, while she was serving as an MP (she became an MP in 1994). She was the first woman and last Chancellor of the Cape Technikon. Pandor has amassed impressive experience in positions of public office, including Deputy Chief Whip of the ANC in the National Assembly from 1995 to 1998, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces in 1998, and its Chairperson from 1999-2004. Her experience in education policy planning made her a welcome appointment as South Africa’s third and last Minister of Education in 2004. She was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in May 2009.