Meet the Panel
CHAIRPERSON
Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Former Deputy President of South Africa
Founder of the Umlambo Foundation. Served as the Executive Director of UN Women until Aug 2021. During her term as Deputy President she oversaw programmes to combat poverty and bring the advantages of a growing economy to the poor, with a particular focus on women.
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Prof. Sizwe Mabizela
Vice Chancellor, Rhodes University
A South African mathematician who became vice- chancellor of Rhodes University in 2014. He previously served as deputy vice-chancellor: academic and student affairs.
Prof. Njabulo Ndebele
Chairman, Nelson Mandela Foundation
Professor Njabulo Simakahle Ndebele is an academic and writer of fiction, former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Cape Town and former Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg.
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Prof Vuyokazi Nomlomo
Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Zululand
Served as the Dean of Education at the University of the Western Cape before joining the University of Zululand as DVC of Teaching and Learning in 2021. Her research is on language education policy and early literacy in African languages.
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba
South African Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
Served as Chancellor of the University of the Western Cape in 2012. He was awarded the Ernest Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarship to study for his doctorate. Adjunct Professor at GSB(UCT) Allan Gray School for Values.
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Andre Gaum
Former South African Human Rights Commissioner, Education
Former member of parliament. He is currently establishing the "Right to Read and Write" within the SAHRC and is thus well-placed to monitor the realization of this right.
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Hulisani Ravele
Seasoned Broadcaster and Reading Advocate
Hulisani Ravele is a formidable South African Broadcaster who has used her platform to be an advocate for reading and takes great pride in African languages and heritage.
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Prof Michael Sachs
Professor, University of Witwatersrand
Currently an independant analyst. He holds an MPAID in International Economics from Harvard’s Kennedy School.
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Noncedo Madubedube
Education Justice Advocate
Well known for her social justice activism, Noncedo is the first woman to be elected as the General Secretary of Equal Education.
Prof. Mary Metcalfe
Panelist, 2030 Reading Panel
Mary Metcalfe is an educationist and former Gauteng MEC. She’s led policy, teaching, and leadership roles from Wits to national government, and now heads PILO while serving as a UJ Professor of Practice and National Planning Commissioner.
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Elinor Sisulu
Executive Director of Puku Children's Literature Foundation
She is an award-winning writer and human rights activist with extensive experience in literature and reading promotion activities.
Kentse Radebe
Deputy CEO, DG Murray Trust
Kentse is the Deputy CEO of the DG Murray Trust, leading strategic initiatives to reduce inequality and develop human capital in South Africa. She is a Fulbright Scholar, a Mail & Guardian Young 200 award recipient, and an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow.
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Colin Coleman
Chairman of YES, Senior Fellow Atlantic Council
Former Senior Fellow and Lecturer at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs. Former partner and Chief Executive Officer, Sub Saharan Africa, Goldman Sachs.
Prof. Veronica McKay
Professor at UNISA
Distinguished Professor at UNISA, where she previously served as Dean of Education and Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning. She is a Fellow of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Prof. Faranaaz Veriava
Public Interest Lawyer and Academic
Faranaaz Veriava is a practicing public interest lawyer and an academic.
Faranaaz teaches Education Law and the Law of Delict at the University of Pretoria and is a senior associate to the UNESCO Chair on Education Law in Africa.
