Nelson Mandela Foundation Praises Nobel Peace Prize winner

A Nelson Mandela Foundation congratulated South African jurist Navanethem Navi Pillay today with the Nobel Peace Prize of 2026 and recalled her work in defending political prisoners and activists against apartheid.

“Pillay has worked for decades for justice, accountability and the protection of human rights,” said the foundation on a social network, stressing that “over the course of his career he defended those who opposed apartheid,” the segregationist regime that prevailed in South Africa from 1948 to 1994.

“ This recognition represents a significant moment for South Africa and for the wider struggle for justice and human dignity. His lifelong commitment to these principles reflects the values Nelson Mandela defended and the work that remains necessary to achieve a fairer world,” the Foundation added.

For her part, former South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor (2019-2024), current president of the foundation, stated that Pillay is “truely deserving of this award.”.

“ His commitment to the struggle of the Palestinian people, his honesty in informing about the occupation and his firm defence of human rights for all people make him an exceptional winner of the Nobel Peace Prize,” Pandor said.

‘Navi’ Pillay, born in South Africa, began his career as a defense attorney for the anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela.

He served as a judge in the Supreme Court of South Africa, the International Criminal Court for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court itself between 2003 and 2008.

In addition, between 2021 and 2025 he chaired a UN commission to investigate human rights violations in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

He is currently an ad hoc judge in the case of Myanmar (former Burma) on charges of genocide against the Muslim minority Rohingya in the state of Rakhine.