Media Statement
2 December 2024
PARI appoints a new Executive Director
The Public Affairs Research Institute’s Board of Directors is delighted to announce Dr Sithembile Mbete as PARI’s new Executive Director, beginning 1 December 2024.
Sithembile brings to PARI a wealth of experience as a political scientist with over 15 years’ experience dedicated to bridging academia, civil society and government. She has a strong passion for applying academic research to solving complex public policy challenges—an approach that aligns closely with PARI’s mission to understand the drivers of institutional performance in the public sector to enable improved policy implementation in various fields.
Her academic career, including a PhD and a decade-long tenure at the University of Pretoria, is distinguished by impactful teaching, research and public engagement.
Beyond academia, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership as Director of Programmes at Futurelect, where she expanded their reach across Southern and East Africa. Her experience in fundraising and board service with key social justice organisations further highlights her ability to navigate and lead within multifaceted spaces.
As we welcome Sithembile, we are confident her vision, expertise and collaborative approach will guide PARI into an exciting new chapter.
The Board would like to thank Lindiwe Ndlela for her excellent leadership as Acting Executive Director since outgoing Executive Director Prof. Mbongiseni Buthelezi’s departure in October this year.
We invite all our partners to join us in extending a warm welcome to Dr Mbete as she moves in to her new role.
ENDS.
For media enquiries: Vishanthi Arumugam, communications@pari.org.za
