The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) is deeply saddened by the passing of its longstanding Director of Research, Neuma Grobbelaar, on 9th November 2024. Neuma was a cherished colleague, friend and mentor who touched many lives in positive and profound ways.
To celebrate her life, career and legacy, we invite you to share a kind word or a message of condolence below.
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I worked with Neuma for the bulk of the last 20 years at SAIIA. What a privilege. She was so supportive, thoughtful, committed and professional and all that she did for the Institute and me personally. She was a great mentor and I learned so much from this driven and determined person. She had a tough side and soft side and I saw both. I liked to make her laugh in meetings. She has left a tremendous void at SAIIA and I miss her terribly. She is no longer suffering and is at last at peace. Her legacy will never be forgotten.
Neuma was such a warm person, who consistently showed kindness while being a consummate professional who carried out her work with a keen eye for detail and diligence.
Her legacy is etched in the history pages of SAIIA, and her kindness in the hearts of all those who have worked and learned from her.
Death be not proud! Rest in peace Neuma
I have very fond memories of Neuma as both a colleague and a person.
Neuma was consistently professional, courteous, and committed to excellence in all her work, from written outputs to events and everything in between.
Despite her incredibly busy schedule at the Institute, she always took the time to inquire about her colleagues’ personal lives, especially when she knew they were going through something, whether positive or negative.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Neuma for over a decade.
Neuma’s passing is still a terrible shock. The passing of someone we all interacted with for many years is never easy to accept.
In thanking her for her loyalty and dedication to SAIIA, the courage with which she faced her health challenge is worthy of admiration.
As she rests in peace and returns to her Creator, may the hearts of her family and friends, colleagues at SAIIA and all those she leaves behind be both strengthened and healed.
Fortunately and through her professional dedication, she leaves many memories for us through her insightful articles and compelling work.
But beyond her professionalism, what a gentle soul and decent human being.
I have known Neuma for over twenty years and have always been very inspired and impressed by her outstanding professionalism and kindness.
Her indelible contributions to SAIIA and attention to detail in her work always stood out as did her love for foreign policy as a tool to make the world a better place for all.
She is surely irreplaceable and has left a very rich legacy worthy of emulation by current and future generations of SAIIA professionals. May Her Soul Rest In Peace!
I am so saddened by Neuma’s passing. She has been a mentor to me. Moreover, she was a Mensch. Neuma will be missed as she leaves a legacy of dedication, attention to detail and astute insight. Wishing the SAIIA family all the best in this time of mourning and adjustment.
Yes Neuma was a great combination of intelligence and ‘Mensch’
We worked together on a number of projects and issues at Dept Foreign Affairs in the eighties and early nineties, just before she joined SAIIA, and what a pleasure it was. Deepest condolences to her family and friends.
11 November 2024 (the day I learned of Neuma’s passing) was one of my saddest days. Such, a great friend and mentor in the 3 years I worked with her. A woman so dedicated to her work and a true believer in the goodness of humanity. I am grateful for her and the impact she made on my life.
I will miss you Neuma.
Rest well.
Neuma contributed greatly to SAIIA’s evolution and standing over the past two decades. She set standards for others, and transcended them herself. She knew how to extract the best from those for whom she was responsible, while always raising the bar. R.i.P. Neuma. You will be missed!
Deeply saddened to hear that Neuma has left us. Always such a privilege to meet with this passionate, knowledgeable, warm and professional lady. My heart goes out to her closest loved ones, SAIIA colleagues and friends.
Neuma will be remembered for her kindness and dedication. She made an enormous contribution at SAIIA and leaves a void that will be hard to fill. My thoughts go out to her family and all at SAIIA who had the privilege of working with her. Rest in peace Neuma, you will be greatly missed.
It is with sadness that I hear of the passing of Neuma. Way back in the early 2000s, I got to know Neuma well when she was working on ‘Mine Action in Southern Africa: Instrument of Development?’ which was published in 2003. While I could be quite critical, Neuma always took my comments on the draft manuscript to heart and in that process both of us learned so much. Forever, grateful!
I was deeply saddened to learn of Neuma’s passing. I know from my own time at SAIIA that hers is a great loss for the Institute – her contribution was both deep and broad. At a personal level I will remember her kindness and humanity and for acting as a guide in the early part of my career. My condolences to all who knew and loved her. May she rest in peace.
Neuma was one of the most welcoming faces when I joined the institute in the early-2000s. In the few years that I spent at SAIIA, her passion for what she did as well as her love and respect for others were plain to see. The institute and the sector have lost a valuable asset. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. May her soul rest in eternal peace.
I am deeply saddened by this news. I want to express my sincere condolences to SAIIA and Neuma’s family. May you find strength in this difficult time.
I was very sad to learn of Neuma’s passiing. Althought I never worked directly with Neuma, I always enjoyed our conversations at SAIIA events. Her comments were always thoughtful and thought-provoking. She was a real mensch! My condolences to her family and friends. May she rest in peace.
I am so saddened to learn about Neuma’s passing. She was such a warm and gentle person with a lovely smile. It was a real pleasure and privilege for me to have worked with her for many years during my time at KAS. She will leave a big gap behind -professionally as well as on a personal level. Rest in Peace dear Neuma.
Neuma was a very special person. She was so welcoming each time I came up to Institute from Cape Town. She will be greatly missed.
RIP Neuma
Neuma was my colleague at DIRCO, many years ago. She always exuded integrity and warmth. She was exceptionally intelligent, yet so humble. What a loss.
I met Neuma at a few SAIIA events ,I had been invited to.She was warm,calm and a very good human being to be around.MHSRIP
It is with sadness I remember how much I enjoyed my engagements and interaction with Neuma. She was at the core of what SAIIA does and her passing will leave a huge gap.
My condolences to Neuma’s loving family and to her dear friends at SAIIA. Neuma was a dedicated professional who held us to high standards in research, but always with warmth, empathy and a sense of humour. I am grateful to have known her.
Neuma was a force to be reckoned with! I worked alongside her for 5 years and was unceasingly amazed at her ability to retain and bring together detail across a myriad of research programmes. She cared deeply for the SAIIA mission and I remember our (sometimes quite animated!) directors’ meetings with a smile. She exuded quiet strength and did not allow her health concerns to get in the way of her determination to get things done. My thoughts are with the SAIIA team, her family and loved ones. Rest in peace, Neuma.
Neuma was such a dedicated and passionate person. She supported me in so many things both at work and personally. She was more of a Sister to me. Gone, but will never be forgotten. Fond memories linger on. May the Lord comfort and give us strength as we grieve. I can only remember Neuma with a shining smile on her face. Her smile will live with me forever, I am thankful for the beautiful gift that God gave me to have known and worked closely with her. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Neuma’s soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
I am so sorry to hear Neuma passed away. In all the years that I have worked with SAIIA, Neuma was a pillar of the institute. I can only imagine the pain and sadness for you all. My sincere condolences to her family and the entire SAIIA family.
Rest in peace, Neuma. You were an institution within the Institute. A wonderful manager and leader, and inspiration to the youngsters like me who worked there many moons ago. My heartfelt condolences to Elizabeth and the rest of the SAIIA family. Neuma will be missed.
I’m so saddened to hear about Neuma’s passing. What a soft spoken yet stern person she was. A wonderful mentor, dedicated, passionate, caring and warm. I am so sorry for your loss ElSid. SAIIA and Wits community is so much poorer without her. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
I am deeply saddened to hear this devastating news. As a Council member for fifteen years I always found Neuma to be an enthusiastic professional who combined her considerable intellect with true humility to make an exceptional human being. Neuma was positive in her approach to life in the face of serious health challenges over a number of years during which she never courted sympathy. She also always looked for the good in others and maintained a positive outlook on Africa as a whole. What a profound loss to all who knew her.Deepest sympathy to family, friends and colleagues and may you all know the comfort of God.
I am very sorry to hear this sad news. My condolences to Neuma’s family, friends and colleagues at SAIIA. Neuma was always so supportive and a pleasure to work with. I remember her kindness, intellect and dedication with much fondness.
My condolences to Neuma’s family, friends and colleagues at SAIIA. I worked with Neuma for a period before the Covid pandemic and we had not only intense debates about content (from accountability to international affairs) but also a lot of fun. What a loss for SAIIA and the community.
I am truly saddened by Neuma’s passing. I will cherish her thoughtful, well-prepared, and constructive feedback, as well as her genuine intellectual curiosity during every meeting and discussion we shared. My heartfelt condolences go out to her loved ones, and to all her friends and colleagues at SAIIA during this difficult time.
This is such sad news – a great loss to SAIIA, SA & the developing world. Condolences to her family, friends & colleagues.
I am sad to learn of Neuma’s passing. It was such a privilege to work with her and under her leadership while I was head of programme at SAIIA in 2010. I have massive respect for her as a person. Neuma had an exceptional work ethic, was an all-rounder, and cared deeply about her work and the people she worked with. A great boss who always carried an assuring smile. I learnt so much from her in the short period of time I worked with her. Condolences to her family and colleagues.
I am deeply saddened to hear about Neuma’s passing. Both SAIIA and the wider policy community have lost an incredible colleague and friend. Personally, Neuma was a great support to us as scholars during our time at SAIIA, and I will always remember her professional example and the high standards she set for herself and others. May her soul rest in peace.
Such a sad news! I only worked with her on a few occasions, but each time Neuma proved to be a very thoughtful and constructive research partner, whose presence made collaborations pleasant and enriching. My deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. RIP
I am saddened to hear of Neuma’s passing and extend my sincere condolences to her loved ones.
Having worked with her all those years ago, she provided steadfast guidance and support to me as a young, often daunted professional.
Together with Elizabeth, she invoked trust and a work ethic that remain inspiring.
She shall be remembered.
Neuma was my very first boss and mentor in 2001. She gave me my first piece of advice when I moved on to join the South African civil service. I carry those gems to this day and always remember her words when the government going gets tough! Rest well Neumatjie. We are the seeds you planted and we will continue to bloom in your honour.
My deep condolences to Neuma’s family, friends and colleagues. A leader in the full sense has left us. From the back: encouraging, sharing, mentoring and guiding. From the front: defining success, sharing the Message, sacrificing, fearless and empowering without being power hungry. I have learnt so much from you. You may have departed, but your presence will endure.
I will always remember Neuma Grobbelaar as a gentle soul, but also tough as nails when times called for it. All qualities I grew to respect.
May her soul rest in eternal peace, and memory continue to live within every life she’s touched during her long, and illustrious career.
I’m so sad to hear of the passing of Neuma! She was a patient, kind and caring person, passionate about her work and instilling that same passion in the young SAIIA interns. I loved hearing her stories, she had a wonderful way of helping us view events from many angles. I’m sorry for your loss Elizabeth and the entire SAIIA family. It’s definitely a loss for us all. May her soul rest in peace. You will be missed Neuma.
Neuma, may your soul rest in peace. I admired your calm demeanor and your ability to explain matters in a manner that were always easy to understand. To your family, colleagues and friends my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Neuma was my colleague at the former Department of Foreign Affairs. She was a consummate diplomate, a stickler for detail, enormously dedicated and, in her almost shy way, so incredibly kind. She put herself through an arts course at Sotheby’s after she resigned from DFA, for which I admired her immensely. She had a delicate presence that persisted long after you said goodbye after a meeting. I KNOW her soul is resting in peace because she knew her Maker well.
Many condolences to the entire organization. I have not known Neuma myself, but she definitely added value to the outputs we get from you all. Your in-depth analysis of issues of global and local importance is always indeed inspiring. Neuma leaves our knowledge hub with a vacuum. May her soul be well received in the beauty of heaven as we yield to God.
My deepest condolences to the SAIIA family. I had the privilege of working with Neuma for six years; not once did she mention her illness. She exercised a quiet faith and deep commitment to SAIIA. She is indeed at peace now.
I am so very sorry to hear this. I was fond of Neuma and thought of her often, even though it had been many years since we worked together. The courage with which she faced difficulty, while remaining both professional and personable, will remain with me. She leaves a large void. Sending condolences to her friends and family.
My most heartfelt condolences to Neuma’s family, friends and colleagues. She was quite an inspiration to work with and led with quiet fortitude. Her passing is an immense loss to the foreign policy community. May her memory be a blessing to all those that had an opportunity to interact with her.
Ka aroha hoki. I’m very sorry to learn of Neuma’s passing and my deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues at SAIIA. There is no doubt the institute will not be the same without Neuma. She worked tirelessly and with dedication over many years. She challenged me to grow and learn.
Neuma was the heart and soul of SAIIA……she put South Africa at the top table of thought leadership and provided a shining light on the global and local challenges facing our world. May her light continue to guide us as we seek greater understanding of our times.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Neuma was likeable and easy to work with. She was my mentor back in 2001.
I recently saw a quote on social media that said ‘we don’t need a title to lead, we just need to care’. Neuma had the title, but she also had the heart and she cared so deeply. We followed her not because we had to, but because we wanted to. I am going to miss the impromptu conversations about our dogs, about Tolkien, and whatever book we think the other should read. For four years I was privileged to work with Neuma and everyday she taught me something. Neuma was a mentor and an inspiration and I will miss her very much. Rest in peace, dear Neuma.
Such devastating news. My sincerest condolences to her family and the SAIIA team. May God comfort you in this difficult time.
To work with Neuma was to be the lucky recipient of lifelong career lessons. She was generous with her expertise, held space for every opinion, and navigated curveballs with integrity and grace. Above all, Neuma’s commitment to SAIIA up until the very end was remarkable. It didn’t seem like just a job to her, but a calling. What a privilege to have worked with her for the past eight years. We will miss her dearly.
Deeply saddened to hear of Neuma’s passing. My condolences to the SAIIA Team and her loved ones. May her soul rest in peace. 🕊️
Such deeply, deeply sad news! I will remember Neuma as a soft-speaking person, always focussed on the issues and on finding solutions. She stepped in when need be and provided clear and concise input and comments, showing a genuine intellectual curiosity and human compassion at the same time. Always a professional, she never was without warmth in personal interactions; it was a joy interacting and working with her. I am personally – and numerous colleagues at IDOS are – much saddened by her passing and will fondly remember her. My condolences to the SAIIA team, her family and friends.
May her beautiful soul rest in peace.
Neuma was an inspiration to me, not only on a professional level but also on a personal level. She cared deeply about her dogs, family and work. Her work ethic inspired many a person to become the best you can be. Condolences to her family and friends. Rest in Peace Neuma.
I am shocked to hear this terrible news! I have known Neuma for a long time. She was a dedicated researcher and a gem of a person. Her presence will be sorely missed ! My deepest condolences to the SAIIA family. Rest in peace Neuma !
I remember Neuma Grobbelaar as a brilliant administrator and empowering research director. She anticipated change and evolving trends in the world of ideas and think tanks. Neuma always believed in giving researchers an opportunity to think policy from a think tank perspective in an impactful way for policy makers and implementers.
An admirable hard worker who always put in many hours, Neuma encouraged researchers to think international policy through African agency and impact on ordinary people. She will be dearly missed by many of us who learned a great deal from her working methods.
I was deeply saddened to hear about Neuma’s passing. It was such a pleasure for me to have worked with Neuma for many years as part of the KAS-SAIIA partnership. She was always very professional, a mentor for many and dedicated to her work. I will always remember her smiling. My sincere condolences to SAIIA and to Neuma’s family and friends.
Neuma Grobbelaar was a well-known and respected diplomat and member of the wider South African foreign policy community. My sincere condolences to SAIIA and to Neuma’s family and friends.
I am extremely sad about the passing of such a wonderful person and such a tireless leader. Neuma always added incredible value to our work environment, pushing for better, asking probing questions and ensuring the quality of what was produced was excellent. Neuma always supported my research efforts and ideas that were focused on the environment and on people’s wellbeing. Her love for animals and nature always shone through.
Neuma will always be part of the SAIIA family, and she will remain one of the key figures of my professional journey. The infamous combo of Neuma and Elizabeth – nothing else can ever come close.
Thank you for the heart you poured into your work Neuma and for seeing the brilliance in me as a young student and for the continuous gentle encouragement. You will be sorely missed.
I have worked with Neuma for the past 7 years where we have done budgets and met on a monthly basis for the longest of time, to discuss the research programme’s expenditure and analyze variances on project spend. She paid great attention to detail and never for one moment did she make her health get in the way of what she needed to deliver on. Neuma had an exceptional skill of commanding a room without making too much noise. She was very kind and empathetic. I admired her tenacity, hard work, and dedication to her work. Neuma was a force to be reckoned with. I will miss her.
Eternal rest be granted unto her and may her soul rest in peace. May her family, friends and colleagues be comforted in the Lord.
It’s saddening to hear news of Neuma’s passing. My enduring impression of her was that she was driven by a deep curiosity about the world and an inherent belief that we should strive to make it a better place for all – human, environment, and animals alike. She was one of the smartest people I’ve ever had the privilege to share space with – with an incredible ability to connect dots and interpret the world. She was an inspiration to watch! I’m indebted to her for shaping me into a researcher who could think critically about the world and communicate my thoughts with finesse, but I also remember her compassion and humanity in the way she cared about me during some tough personal times. Her presence and contribution to the world will be missed.
I can’t believe Neuma is no longer with us. Neuma was brave, she was tenacious, she was strong. We worked together for more than a decade and not once did I see her passion for our work flag. It wasn’t that long ago that we were working into the evening on a proposal together online. We could hear Neuma’s mom grumbling in the background about the food getting cold, and Neuma trying to whisper “Mamma, ons moet net gou die proposal klaarmaak”. Well, that was Neuma…not satisfied until the work is done, but I’m sure also getting to that family meal. She poured so much of herself into her work, but behind all of that lay a deep concern for others. She will be missed.
Striving for the best and battling against all odds, and all of this with the brightest and biggest smile! This is the Neuma that I first met in Mozambique in 2001 while she undertook research on de-mining, and later on when we would work together, particularly on the KAS/SAIIA scholarship program. Neuma became a friend and colleague at SAIIA, sharing her insights into South African politics as much as South African hospitality at her home in Melville. Neuma – I will miss you!
Sleep in peace, gentle soul
While working with Neuma, I was continuously impressed by her diligence and determination, the breadth of her knowledge and the precision of her recommendations. To realise the heavy burden she was carrying leaves me in awe and sincere respect. I trust your invaluable legacy will be carried forward. God bless and rest in peace, dear Neuma!
Neuma is a massive loss. It was a privilege to work with her at the High Commission of South Africa in Kuala Lumpur. Neuma was smart, super organized and hard working. A wonderful and caring lady. Always willing to assist, mentor and go the extra mile. I will miss you my friend.
My condolences to Neuma’s family and friends. May her blessed soul rest in peace and may the Light always shine upon her.
For many years, our paths crossed on research matters, and I was always impressed by her calmness, kindness, and dedication. She is a huge loss to the research community in South Africa and will be missed by many.
Lovely Neuma, I had no idea that the last time I saw her would be the last – how fragile life is? I will miss her friendly smile and engaging with her in conversation at SAIIA Council meetings. The institute is poorer for her loss, but her legacy will live on in the work that she carried out so diligently. I admired her dedication, insightfulness and quiet diplomacy, it was a pleasure to have known her. My sincere condolences to Neuma’s family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time – strength and comfort to you all.
It is with deep sadness that the Embassy of Brazil in Pretoria has learned of Dr. Neuma Grobbelaar’s passing. In the course of its longstanding cooperation with SAAIA, the Embassy has had many opportunities to ascertain said institution’s outstanding work, to which Dr. Grobbelaar’s contribution was crucial. Our hearts go out to her family and all the SAIIA team. May she rest in peace as her light keeps shining bright.
I have known Neuma for a short time, and I was constantly amazed by her work ethic, dedication to the team and the pride she took in her work at SAIIA. I got to witness this whenever she would speak to the communications team I was part of about the CoMPRA project. Her resilience and composure were enough for anyone to want to aspire to such an optimistic demeanour.
Neuma has left but her legacy will forever remain.
Moya wa gagwe o robale ka khutšo!
I have worked with Neuma for a period of 4 years, she had always been supportive to me especially when we address the queries from KAS. What a calm, dedicated, ethical, soft spoken, strategic, hardworking and a very person. Your passing has really cut deep in me. I have learned so much working with you, and you were more like a mother to me. I would have liked to come and say goodbye to you. May your soul rest in peace.
Thinking of SAIIA without Neuma is so hard. She was such a cornerstone of the Institute! I still cherish the memory of the formidable duo of leaders she was a part of with Elizabeth. Both taught me so much professionally and personally during my years at SAIIA…I will always be grateful for Neuma’s time and passion for thinking ahead toward the new research horizons she encouraged at SAIIA. She will be tremendously missed. May she rest in peace.
There are no words to explain how she touched my life in a positive way – only I remember and know that feeling of love and support from. She was warm spirited and forever caring…..that Is my experience with her. I remember how she supported me when my dad passed – and I will always appreciate that she was the only one that was able to reach me when I was in such bad space. Rest well dear – will always miss you.
I know you liked classical music, Neuma, having spotted you once at a JPO concert. Let me play Faure’s magnificent Requeim in tribute. RIP.
I did not know Neuma, but through the SAIIA team, I learned how much she was loved. I didn’t need to meet her to know that she led the Institute’s research area with great competence, leaving her mark and inscribing her name in its history. My condolences to the SAIIA team and her family for this immense loss.