US Revokes Visa for South African Minister Naledi Pandor Without Explanation

Key Takeaways

• Naledi Pandor, the former international relations minister of South Africa, has had her US visa revoked despite having traveled to the US on multiple occasions.
• The US embassy in South Africa has refused to disclose the reasons for the revocation, citing confidentiality under US law.
• The revocation comes amidst tensions between the US and South Africa, particularly with regards to the Palestinian cause and Pandor’s advocacy for it.
• The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s executive director, Neeshan Balton, believes that Pandor’s support for the Palestinian cause may be the reason for the visa revocation.
• The incident has sparked controversy and debate, with some speculating that lobby groups or individuals may have influenced the US government’s decision.

Introduction to the Visa Revocation
The United States embassy in South Africa has revoked the US visa of former international relations minister Naledi Pandor, despite her having traveled to the US on multiple occasions. The decision was communicated to Pandor via an email from the US Consulate, with no reasons provided for the revocation. This move has sparked controversy and debate, with many speculating about the possible reasons behind the US government’s decision. As the chairperson of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Pandor has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause, which may have contributed to the revocation of her visa.

The US Embassy’s Response
The US embassy in South Africa has refused to disclose the reasons for the revocation, citing confidentiality under US law. A US government spokesperson stated that visa records are generally confidential and that the US government cannot discuss the details of individual visa cases. The spokesperson also emphasized that visas are a privilege, not a right, and that every country, including the United States, has the discretion to determine who enters its borders. This response has only added to the speculation and controversy surrounding the revocation of Pandor’s visa.

The Timing of the Revocation
The revocation of Pandor’s visa comes at a sensitive time, just days before Johannesburg hosted the G20 Leaders’ Summit. The event was already marred by the US and President Donald Trump’s decision to send a low-level delegation, instead of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Presidency had also announced that President Cyril Ramaphosa would not hand over the G20 presidency to the US chargé d’affaires, Marc D Dillard. The timing of the revocation has led some to speculate that it may be related to the tensions between the US and South Africa, particularly with regards to the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian Cause
Pandor has been a vocal advocate for the Palestinian cause, and her support for it may have contributed to the revocation of her visa. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s executive director, Neeshan Balton, believes that Pandor’s advocacy for the Palestinian cause may be the reason for the visa revocation. Balton pointed out that Pandor joins a long list of people who have been denied entry to the US, many of whom have been associated with advocating for the Palestinian cause. This speculation has been fueled by a letter written by former member of the Jewish Board of Deputies and attorney Lawrence Nowosenetz, who claimed that Pandor had aligned herself with pro-Palestinian states during her tenure as minister.

Pandor’s Advocacy
Pandor has been widely credited for spearheading South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In July 2025, she delivered the keynote address at the United Nations in New York, calling on leaders, institutions, and individuals to "make good trouble" in pursuit of a more just world. Her advocacy for the Palestinian cause has been recognized internationally, and her revocation has sparked outrage and condemnation from many quarters. The incident has highlighted the tensions between the US and South Africa, particularly with regards to the Palestinian cause, and has raised questions about the role of lobby groups and individuals in influencing the US government’s decisions.

Conclusion
The revocation of Naledi Pandor’s US visa has sparked controversy and debate, with many speculating about the possible reasons behind the US government’s decision. While the US embassy in South Africa has refused to disclose the reasons for the revocation, citing confidentiality under US law, many believe that Pandor’s advocacy for the Palestinian cause may have contributed to the revocation. The incident has highlighted the tensions between the US and South Africa, particularly with regards to the Palestinian cause, and has raised questions about the role of lobby groups and individuals in influencing the US government’s decisions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the US government will respond to the outrage and condemnation sparked by the revocation of Pandor’s visa.