The New South Institute (NSI), a policy and research institute based in South Africa with a strong presence in Brazil (São Paulo) and Eastern Europe (Belgrade), is pleased to announce the appointment of Pam Yako, an innovative thinker and dedicated public servant, to its board.

Pam Yako brings a wealth of experience from various industries and has expressed her eagerness to work with the dynamic, visionary, and committed NSI board members. A self-starter who witnessed the atrocities of apartheid and decided to join South Africa’s liberation struggle from an early age, Pam has over 14 years of experience as an executive at various levels of government. She has led in various roles, including Deputy Director General (DDG), Chief Operations Officer, and Director-General.

As an entrepreneur and consultant, she has worked with numerous organisations in both the public and private sectors. One of her great honours, she says, “was to serve my people, especially in the formative years of our democracy, and I will never forget that opportunity.”

Welcoming the board appointment, NSI Co-Founder and Director Ivor Chipkin said, “We are thrilled to have Ms. Pam Yako join our talented board members. We have no doubt that she will add immense value to our democracy-building work. She is a seasoned public servant with integrity and a passion for the public service, which aligns precisely with our mission of strengthening delicate democracies by building effective and accountable institutions.”