NZIMANDE MOURNS PAMPALLIS, ARCHITECT OF SA'S POST-1994 EDUCATION POLICY
Minister Blade Nzimande has paid tribute to the late John Pampallis, an educationalist, historian and anti-apartheid activist .
The late Mr John Pampallis, educationalist, historian and former Special Advisor to Minister Blade Nzimande, who has been remembered as a lifelong activist in the anti-apartheid struggle and a key architect of South Africa's post-apartheid education policy. (Image supplied)
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, has paid tribute to Mr John Pampallis
Nzimande described Pampallis as a lifelong comrade, friend and colleague whose life was dedicated to educational transformation and to building a free, open and democratic South Africa.
Reflecting on Pampallis's contribution to the education sector, Nzimande said he had helped lay the foundations of South Africa's post-apartheid education policy.
"Through his many roles in the education sector, Mr Pampallis helped lay the foundation for South Africa's post-apartheid education policy. He served as Director of the Centre for Education Policy Development and the network of Education Policy Units, which played a pioneering role in supporting progressive policy development in the period immediately following the transition to democracy in 1995," he said.
The Minister recalled that Pampallis had also served as his Special Advisor during his tenure as Minister of Higher Education and Training.
"He made a significant contribution to shaping South Africa's post-school education strategy and national training initiatives. During this period, he distinguished himself by leading the drafting of the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training, a landmark policy aimed at expanding opportunities for young people who have finished school or are out of school," said Nzimande.
Paying tribute to Mr Pampallis as a scholar, the Minister noted that he was an accomplished intellectual and historian
"Mr Pampallis wrote and edited several important works on South African history, the political struggle and education policy," he said.
The Minister also honoured Pampallis's role in the liberation struggle, describing him as a committed activist in the anti-apartheid and national liberation movement.
"He spent many years in exile contributing to the fight against apartheid and taught at the Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College, established by the African National Congress in Tanzania. Through this work, he helped prepare and support generations of South Africans in exile for life in a democratic South Africa," Nzimande said
In his closing tribute, the Minister said the country had lost a remarkable public servant.
"In Pampallis, South Africa has lost a dedicated educationalist, a progressive intellectual, a selfless patriot, and an industrious and ethical public servant who helped lay the foundation for our democratic order. As a nation, we owe him an incalculable debt of gratitude for his service to the country and its people," said Nzimande.
On behalf of the DSTI and the broader science sector, he extended his heartfelt condolences to Pampallis's wife, Karin, his daughter, Irene, and their entire family, friends and colleagues.