Cape Town – The ANC said the allegation regarding the academic qualifications of Pallo Jordan is nothing but a publicity gimmick.
The party said in a statement on Monday: “With or without academic qualifications, Comrade Jordan to us remains a source of great pride not only as an intellectual giant but for the immense contribution and sacrifices he has made and continues to make for our nation and its young democracy.”
On 3 August the Sunday Times claimed that Jordan, who has routinely used the title of “Dr”, was a fraud.
The newspaper reported that the acclaimed writer appears to have never even finished university – despite an official government CV of his suggesting he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the London School of Economics. Jordan did, however, study at Wisconsin-Madison but did not graduate.
ANC said: “We reaffirm our unshakable respect, admiration and confidence in him as one of the movement’s most treasured assets with a unique and unparalleled knowledge and experience on a wide range of social, economic and political matters.”
The party says academic qualifications are not among Constitutional requirements to qualify for membership of Parliament, and therefore, the matter has nothing to do with Parliament.