Johannesburg -
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was named on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world because she is fearless and selfless, the National Freedom Party said on Thursday.
“Advocate Madonsela was the first woman public protector, but her approach of ‘no fear no favour’ has seen her office fulfilling its role in the society,” NFP leader Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi said in a statement.
“There is no doubt that the Public Protector received this accolade because of her fearless and selfless efforts to ensure that the South African government and all state institutions are held accountable for shortcomings against the people on the ground.”
KaMagwaza-Msibi congratulated Madonsela for her achievement and urged South Africans to protect her office against “the pressure it faces from those who had been exposed by her investigations”.
Earlier, Madonsela said she was humbled by the gesture.
“Humbled by the gesture, the public protector said she was taken by surprise that the modest efforts of her office were not only being recognised at home but elsewhere in the world too,” spokeswoman Kgalalelo Masibi said in a statement.
Madonsela said, that like other accolades bestowed upon her, her inclusion in the American publication's list was not just a recognition of her contribution as an individual.
“It is an acknowledgement of the selfless efforts of the public protector team at large.”
Madonsela said the team would continue to draw inspiration from the fact that their efforts in helping government find and eradicate maladministration did not go unnoticed.
Masibi said that according to Time, the list, now in its 11th year, recognised the activism, innovation and achievement of the world's most influential individuals.
“The magazine describes Time 100 as 'a list of the most influential people in the world' and not a list of the most powerful or smartest people in the world,” she said.
Others included on the list were scientists, philosophers, leaders, icons, artists and visionaries.
“These were people who were 'using their ideas, their visions and their actions to transform the world and have an effect on a multitude of people',” Masibi said.
The full list would appear in the May 5 issue of Time.
Madonsela, along with the other people selected for the list, have been invited to attend the Time 100 Gala in New York on Tuesday, April 29, where the list will be officially announced.
Masibi said: “She plans to use the opportunity to meet and share good practice and experiences with the officials from the World Bank's Anti-Corruption Unit, the office of the New York Inspector-General and the Washington DC Investigation Unit, among other people.” - Sapa