Freedom Park Appoints Dr Hilton Fisher as Chief Executive Officer
Pretoria, 26 August 2026 – The Council of Freedom Park is pleased to announce the appointment of
Dr Hilton Fisher as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Freedom Park, effective 01 September
2026.
Dr Fisher’s appointment follows a rigorous, transparent and competitive recruitment process
conducted in accordance with the Cultural Institutions Act, Freedom Park’s Recruitment Policy and
other applicable legislation.
Dr Fisher brings more than three decades of distinguished public service and executive leadership
experience to Freedom Park. He currently serves as Acting Chief Director: Cabinet Secretariat in The
Presidency, where he provides strategic leadership and support to the Cabinet of the Republic of
South Africa. He has also served as South Africa’s Ambassador to Indonesia, with concurrent
accreditation to Timor-Leste and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and previously
as South Africa’s Ambassador to Chile, where he advanced South Africa’s diplomatic, economic and
cultural interests.
A highly accomplished scholar and public administrator, Dr Fisher holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD),
a Master of Public Administration, honours degrees in History and International Politics, and has built
an outstanding career in governance, strategic leadership, public administration, policy development
and international relations.
Chairperson of the Freedom Park Council, Ms Charnie-Lee Adams-Kruger, welcomed the
appointment, saying:
The Council is delighted to welcome Dr Hilton Fisher to Freedom Park. His distinguished
leadership, extensive government experience, international outlook and deep appreciation of
South Africa’s democratic journey position him well to lead Freedom Park into its next phase
of growth and impact. We are confident that he will strengthen the institution’s role as a national
centre of memory, heritage, dialogue, reconciliation and nation-building.
The Council also expresses its sincere appreciation to Mr Radichaba Malapane, who has served as
Acting Chief Executive Officer since the beginning of July 2026, for his steadfast leadership and
commitment during the transition period.
Freedom Park looks forward to working with Dr Fisher as the institution continues to preserve South
Africa’s heritage, promote social cohesion, deepen constitutional values and expand its contribution
to education, research, remembrance and national building.
