Zweledinga Pallo Jordan, who became the National Minister of Arts and Culture under President Thabo Mbeki’s administration, was born in B Location, Kroonstad, Orange Free State. He is the son to Professor Archibald Campbell Jordan an African novelist, linguist and academic and his mother, Dr Priscilla Phyllis Jordan, was a teacher, researcher and lecturer. He became politically active in the early 1960s when he joined the African National Congress (ANC). He served in various positions within the ANC. He also served as Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of South Africa from 1996 to 1999. After 2004 national elections, Jordan was appointed the Minister of Arts and Culture by President Thabo Mbeki.
eventREF E-0095668Revised
22 May 1942
Former National Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, is born
- Updated
- 18 May 2020
How we know this
- 01SAHO, ‘Zweledinga Pallo Jordan’, from South African History Online, [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 16 May 2013]
- 02MBendi, ‘Dr ZP Jordan (Zweledinga Pallo)’, from MBendi Information Services, [online], Available at www.mbendi.com [Accessed: 16 May 2013]
- 03GCIS, ‘Zweledinga Pallo Jordan, Dr’, from Government Communications, [online], Available at apps.gcis.gov.za [Accessed: 16 May 2013]
Last updated · 18 May 2020
South African History Online. (2013, May 17). Former National Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095668
South African History Online (2013) 'Former National Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, is born', South African History Online, 17 May. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095668 (Accessed: 9 October 2026).
South African History Online, Former National Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095668, (accessed 9 October 2026).
"Former National Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, is born." South African History Online, 17 May 2013, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095668. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.
South African History Online. "Former National Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, is born." South African History Online. May 17, 2013. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0095668.
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