Gottardo then pursued an academic path, lecturing at the Universities of Cape Town and the Witwatersrand, directing the Helen Suzman Foundation from 2006 to 2009, and serving as a part-time commissioner with the Electoral Commission of South Africa from 2011 until 2015, after which she decided to concentrate on her academic career.
A relentless drive for growth So, what is it that fuels Gottardo’s ambition?
“I have a relentless sense of a need for growth commensurate with the challenges our society has faced and continues to face. An inner need for adaptability,” she says. Whether stepping onto the political stage or delving into academic research, this ceaseless pursuit of growth has charted her trajectory and defined her achievements. Another defining feature of Gottardo’s career has been her ability to evolve with the times. Today, her focus lies in the sphere of international relations, where she is carving out a niche as a specialist in drone warfare, her chosen field of doctoral research. “To continue to adapt and learn and work in the field of international relations as a drone warfare specialist is what propels me forward,” she says. “Drone-enabled surveillance is fast becoming all-pervasive, having moved rapidly from military combat to other areas of law enforcement and migration control. This raises new challenges for international human rights law and international humanitarian law rights because our civil liberties may be impacted as drones are used to monitor our actions and movements.” She draws inspiration from legendary anti-apartheid activist, Helen Suzman, whose legacy of principled public service remains a guiding star. When it comes to her own highlights, she points to the privilege of straddling both public life and academia. Her work in both spheres, at various intervals, stands as a testament to her ability
Raenette in the late 90s when she was elected to Parliament.
to navigate and contribute across diverse areas. No regrets, only lessons learned
Raenette in the Parliamentary Library.
No career journey is without its trials, and for Gottardo, the hardest lesson has been witnessing how idealism can sometimes yield to self-interest in public life. A sobering reality that can feel impossible to counteract, she says. Yet, she holds fast to the philosophy of learning from every experience. “I try not to have regrets. All lessons are lessons to respond to, not to regret.” Offering advice to today’s students, Gottardo says to prioritise constant personal growth and inner resilience. Often your success is a reflection of this ability. It will help you adjust to the challenges you will face when you grow your career, expand your heart and build your life.”
Beyond the public eye Beneath the public achievements and academic rigour lies a woman with a love for language and culture; few might guess that she harbours an affection for the Veneto dialect, a subtle but revealing detail that speaks to her curiosity and openness to the world. Gottardo holds a BA in Law, a BA Honours in Political Science, and an MA in International Relations from the University of Johannesburg.
DRONE-ENABLED SURVEILLANCE IS FAST BECOMING ALL- PERVASIVE, HAVING MOVED RAPIDLY FROM MILITARY COMBAT TO OTHER AREAS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MIGRATION CONTROL. THIS RAISES NEW CHALLENGES FOR INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW RIGHTS BECAUSE OUR CIVIL LIBERTIES MAY BE IMPACTED AS DRONES ARE USED TO MONITOR OUR ACTIONS AND MOVEMENTS. – RAENETTE GOTTARDO
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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