H.E. FRANKLIN ABRAHAM SONN
Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa
Washington, DC

See also... Commencement Address by H.E. Franklin Abraham Sonn

Biographical Details

Born in Vosburg district of Victoria West on 11 October 1939.
Grew up near Queenstown and Cape Town
Father and mother educators with a history of active involvement in public affairs
Married to Joan Heather Gelderbloem. Two children.

Educational Background

Graduate of University of the Western Cape and the University of South Africa, and was honoured with many awards.

Awards

Fellowship of the Institute of Administration & Commerce
The Young South African of the Year Award by Jaycees Organization in 1977
Paul Harris Award for Exceptional Service (non-Rotarian) by Rotary in 1987
Special Award for Service: Association of Black Accountants of South Africa (ABASA) in 1992
The Human Resources Award of Excellence in 1993
Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters: Baruch College, City University of New York, June 1995
Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD): University of Notre Dame, September 1995
International Award in honour of Dr Martin Luther King
Special Merit Award - Association of Teknikon Principals 1994
International Service Award by Southern Christian Leadership Conference of the USA - 1995
Doctor of Laws (h.c.) New Hampshire College
Doctor of Laws (h.c.) Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
Doctor of Education (h.c.) University of Cape Town
Doctor of Humane Letters (h.c.) University of Nebraska

Work Experience

Rector (President) : Peninsula Technikon - 1978 to 1994. A degree granting Educational College of 8,000 students
Chief Executive Officer of New Africa Investments, Limited, with asset base of $2 billion and the largest Black-led company listed in the Johannesburg Stock Exchange from November 1994 until appointment as Ambassador
South African Ambassador to the United States - January 1995 to present

Patron of the Following Organizations

Silvertree Youth Club. One of the first community organizations started in District Six. Currently based in Manenberg
Planned Parenthood Association
South African Veterans Rugby Union
Olympics 2004 - Cape Town Initiative
Gold Shield Foundation
Interchange Foundation
Guild of Competency-based Practitioners
Peace Visions (A Foundation promoting peace in South Africa)

Positions in Education

Chairman until 1994 of the National Education and Training Forum (a body consisting of all educational training organisation including the State with mandate to transform education from the Apartheid model to a Democratic system)
President of the Cape Teachers' Professional Association (1975-1991)
President of the Union of Teachers' Associations of South Africa (1978-1991)
Vice-President of the Joint Council of Teachers' Associations of South Africa
Chairman until 1993 of the Western Cape Foundation of Community Work (FCW). A voluntary community organization working in the pre-school education sector. Has established and controls 29 pre-school centres.
Chairman until 1994 of the South African Institute for Distance Education (SAIDE)
Trustee of the New Era Schools Trust (NEST)
Trustee of the Leadership Education and Advancement Foundation (LEAF)
Chairman of the National Education and Training Forum (NETF)
Trustee of the Early Learning Research Unit (ELRU)
Chairman until 1994 of the Committee of Technikon Principals

Membership of Statutory Bodies

Advisory Council for Universities and Technikons
Elected as Chairman of the Committee of Technikon Principals for two consecutive terms
Certification Council for Technikon Education
Board of Control of Tygerberg Hospital

Member of Commissions of Inquiry

HSRC Investigation into Education -- known as the De Lange Commission (1981)
HSRC Investigation into Training of Artisans - known as the Pittendrigh Commission

Foundations and National Organizations

Chairman of the U.S.-South Africa Leadership Exchange Programme (USSALEP)
Member of the Prestigious Synthesis Political Discussion Group
Ex-National Treasurer of the Students Christian Association (SCA)
Member of the Board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) until 1994, when he resigned to support two ANC election campaigns in the Western Cape
Chairman of the Energos Foundation, formerly known as Mobil Foundation until 1994
Vice-Chairman of the Urban Foundation
Governor: University of Cape Town Foundation

Membership of Boards of Companies

Nedbank
Metropolitan Life
M-Net (Cable Television Company)
M.T.N. Cellular Telephone Company
The Sowetan (Largest daily newspaper in South Africa)
Corporate Africa Holdings (Largest Black Holding Company)
PRESTASI (Financial Services Short-Term Assurance Company)

Other

Member and personal advisor to former President Jimmy Carter monitoring the Zambian elections in 1992
Very often invited to speak publicly on educational and political matters, nationally and internationally
Occupies no official position in any political party
Became principal of Spes Bona High School at age 30. In the last year of principalship in 1977, the school produced 4 out of the top 10 candidates in South Africa in matric.

General

Plays squash and tennis and has an active interest in rugby. Often asked to speak at rugby award ceremonies and present awards and caps. Also takes a keen interest in hiking and the environment.

Interests and Associations

Has a keen interest in and is associated with organizations promoting education, business, cultural affairs, political matters, sport and community upliftment and international affairs.
Enjoys public speaking and always tries to articulate concerns with a positive and constructive message of hope. Holds very strong Christian beliefs and is a member of the Dutch Reform Mission Church.