Prof Nadine Petersen

I serve on the NRF Board as a Member of the Board Procurement Committee and I am the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg.

My role entails providing guidance and strategic direction to the NRF Executive in order for the NRF to execute its mandate for the science system and for the country as a whole.

I see my input from (a) a social justice perspective – any decisions by the NRF must bring about transformation in the science system; and (b) I bring a social sciences perspective to thinking and deliberations in the Board and to the NRF.

What inspired you to become the leader that you are today?

As a Black woman in academia, I had few Black women role models. I was fortunate enough to benefit from the investment of those Black women I came into contact with, and with White women in my organisation who saw my potential and investment in my development. I see the development of women, and particularly Black women, as key to reaching the potential that exists in this country and to making a difference in the lives of our young people.

Many of my leadership characteristics were nurtured by my father, a single parent, and his example of leadership in school and community. He worked for the less fortunate and strove for the development of junior staff (he was a teacher and community worker). This instilled in me my drive to develop others.

My dad taught me to stand up fearlessly for what I believe in and to fight for those who could not do it for themselves. He told me that if someone was bigger than me and trying to bully me, I should pick up a brick. I have lobbed many a metaphorical brick at such people over the course of my life and my leadership journey, particularly when an injustice was being perpetrated.

My family was active in the struggle for an end to apartheid in South Africa and the example of my cousins, aunts and uncles, some of whom were in exile, influenced my thinking about working for social justice in education.

What advice would you give to the next generation of women leaders?

Stand up for other women and hold them gently as they learn and make mistakes; guard the rights of other women fearlessly and support them to reach their goals. Most women neglect their networks, duties and finances – take good care to build supportive networks and to take care of your financial and mental well-being.