Personal details

Chris Jafta was born in 1959 in Matatiele where he did both his primary and secondary schooling. He is married to Nomviwo and they have two children; a daughter, Kgomotso and a son, Tshepiso.

Education

Jafta obtained his B Juris and LLB degree from the University of Transkei (now Walter Sisulu University) in 1983 and 1987.

Professional history

Jafta started his career as a court interpreter in 1983. He was appointed a prosecutor of District Court at the beginning of 1984 until December 1985 when his authority to prosecute was withdrawn by the Attorney-General at the instance of the Security Police. He was demoted to the position of an Administrative Clerk. This occurred after he had rejected instructions from the security police on how he should conduct prosecutions in some cases and had declined to prosecute people who were arrested for walking in the streets at night in contravention of emergency regulations which were in operation then. He was briefly detained and subjected to an intense interrogation by the Security Police.

In July 1986 he was appointed a Magistrate. In February 1988 he resigned and joined Mbuqe and Mbuqe, a firm of attorneys, as a candidate attorney. But in August 1988 he resigned to join the University of Transkei as a lecturer. There he taught Commercial Law and Constitutional Law. In 1992 he did pupilage at the Johannesburg Bar.

Jafta commenced practice in Mthatha in January 1993. His practice focused mainly on Labour and Constitutional matters.

In 1997 Jafta was appointed Acting Judge of the High Court (Transkei Division) for four months. In January 1999 be became Acting Judge of the same division until November when he was appointed on a permanent basis. In June 2001 Jafta became the Acting Judge President of the Transkei Division until June 2003. In 2003 he was appointed Acting Judge of Appeal at the Labour Appeal Court until June 2004. From June to October 2004 he was Acting Judge of Appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. In November 2004 he was appointed Judge of Appeal at the same court.

In December 2007 Jafta was appointed Acting Justice at the Constitutional Court until May 2008.

Personal details

Bess Nkabinde, born in 1959 at Tlokweng/Silverkrans in the North West Province, is blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

Education

She matriculated in 1979 at Mariasdal High School, Tweespruit, Free State Province and obtained a BProc degree in 1983 (University of Zululand) in Kwa-Zulu-Natal. In 1986 and 1987, she obtained LLB (North West University) and a Diploma in Industrial Relations, respectively.

Honorary Doctorate: North West University (Potchefstroom Campus) 2022.

Professional History

• 1984 – 1988:  State Law Advisor - Legislative Drafting (Bophuthatswana). 
• 1988:  Admission as Advocate (Bophuthatswana). 
• 1989:  Pupillage (Johannesburg Bar). 
• 1989:  Admission as Advocate (Republic of South Africa). 
• 1990 – 1999:  Practising as an Advocate, North West Bar. Areas of law: civil, commercial, matrimonial as well as criminal matters. 
• 1993:  Attended a Judicial Training Programme in Canada.  

Judicial Experience

• February - October 1999: Acting Judge of the High Court (Bophuthatswana Provincial Division).
• November 1999: Permanently appointed as Judge of the High Court (Bophuthatswana Provincial Division).
• 2000 and 2003: Acting Judge of the Labour Court (Johannesburg).
• October 2004 - May 2005: Acting Judge of the Labour Appeal Court.
• June - November 2005: Acting Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal
• January 2006 - December 2017: Justice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa.
• May 2016 - June 2017: Acting Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.
• November 2016: Acting Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.
• October 2018 - 2020: Acting Judge of Appeal – Supreme Court of Namibia, WINDHOEK.
• October 2022 to date: Judge of Appeal – Court of Appeal of Botswana, GABORONE.

Additional legal experience

• Investigated and led evidence at the Mpshe Commission of Inquiry into the Mutiny of Warders at Mogwase Prison (1994-1995).
• Served on the Special Tribunal on civil matters likely to emanate from Investigations by the Special Investigative Units established in terms of Act No. 74 of 1996
• Involved in Small Claims Court matters in Mafikeng (1998 – 1999).
• Played a role as a member of the Sub – Committee of the Coordinating Committee of the Justice System, on Racism and Sexism within the Judiciary in 2004.
• Chaired the Rules Board for Courts of Law (2004-2013), at the instance of the Ministry for Justice and Constitutional Development.
• Participated in the sub-committee of the Judicial Education Training Committee.
• Designated Judge (2019 to date) in terms of the Interception and Monitoring of Information and Provision of Communication Related Information Act, 2002 (Act 70 2002).
• Chairperson and Member: Independent Panel Established in terms of the Rules of the National Assembly on the Removal from Office (in terms of section 194 of the Constitution) of a Holder of Public Office in a State Institution Supporting Constitutional Democracy (November 2020 – February 2021).
• Designated President (by the Chief Justice) of the first Judicial Conduct Tribunal (under the auspices of the Judicia Service Commission (JSC) – constituted in terms of the Judicial Service Commission Act, 1994 (Act 9 of 1994).
• Chairperson: Disciplinary Inquiry established pursuant to the remedial action directed by the Public Protector in her Report on an investigation into allegations of Improper Conduct Regarding Mr D Mogajane’s Application for the Position of Director- General at National treasury and his Subsequent Appointment to the same position by National Treasury (2019).
• Chairperson and Member: The Independent Ad Hoc Appeal Tribunal into the Ombud Report on Circumstances Surrounding the Care and Death of Mr S Lethole at Thembisa Tertiary Hospital (2022).

Other professional involvements

• Attended and facilitated a discussion on The Rights of Minorities within the context of Access to Justice at the First South Asian Regional Judicial Colloquium on Access to Justice - Facilitated by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), International Centre for the Legal Protection of Human Rights (Interights) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (November 2002 – New Delhi, INDIA).
• Paper and Presentation on Appeals and Reviews and Sentencing to the Aspirant Judges (Judicial Education Training Programme (JOHANNESBURG).
• Paper and Presentation addressing newly appointed Magistrates at the Magistrates’ conference (Justice College) on Judicial ethics, independence and accountability (PRETORIA).
• Paper: Addressing attendants at the Family Court Seminar (Justice Regional Office/ Office of the Family Advocate) (MAHIKENG).
• Paper and presentation: Socio-economic justice during the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) roadshow in bringing Parliament to the People (MAHIKENG).
• Presiding Justice: The final round of the 21st African Human Rights Moot Court Competition organised jointly by the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane of Maputo October 2012 Maputo, MOZAMBIQUE).
• Panel Member: The final round of the 16th African Human Rights Moot Court Competition organised jointly with the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria. (August 2007-Dakar, SENEGAL).
• Panel Member: The final round of the 16th African Human Rights Moot Court Competition organised jointly by the Centre for Human Rights of the University of Pretoria (Constitutional Court- SOUTH AFRICA)
• Teaching/Conducting seminars for post-graduate students at the University of Maryland, School of Law: Introduction to South African Constitutional Jurisprudence (September-October 2008 – Baltimore, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA).
• Paper presentation in celebration of the Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): University of Maryland (October 2008) – Published in the Maryland Law School Review Journal (Baltimore, USA).
• Presented paper: Human Rights and Appellate Courts – Constitutional Court, South Africa at Fourth AIJA Appellate Judges’ Conference (November 2008– Melbourne - AUSTRALIA).
• Paper and presentation and Co-Chairing of a Session on Accountability and Judicial Reform: International Conference of Jurists (May 2012 London - UNITED KINGDOM)
• Judicial Exchange- Symposium attended by senior Judges from the South African Judiciary and senior Judges from England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (11- 14 JUNE 2009 Edinburgh - SCOTLANT).
• Keynote address: The Experience of the South African Constitutional Court and Public Interest litigation (PIL) as a Tool of Social Transformation: Challenges, Achievements and Lessons Learned – Symposium on PIL in East Africa at the Retreat for Appellate Judges organised by the International Governance Alliance Conference facilitated by the Commonwealth – September 2014 – UGANDA).
• Paper presented at the International Convention on the Cessation of War and Achievements of World Peace on Women: African Agents for Change (The objective was to discuss the role of women as catalyst in peace keeping efforts in Africa – under the umbrella of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) (March 2015 UNISA – Pretoria.
• Keynote address: An Act of Creation – the gift and responsibility of constitutional lawyering for young legal professionals – Wits Awards (April 2010).
• Keynote address: The Imperative for Gender Equality and Justice in South Africa – towards the third decade of democratisation UNISA Women Empowerment (August 2013).
• Keynote address at the Seminar for Judges on Tax and Equality organised by the South African Education Institute (SAJEI) (July 2016- Durban).
• Keynote address on Women in Law in the Boardroom BLA, Legal Education Centre (October 2016 Johannesburg).
• Welcoming address at the opening function of the Fourth Conference of Constitutional Jurisdictions of Africa (CCJA) on Promoting the Independence of the Judiciary and the Rule of Law (April 2017 Cape Town.
• Keynote address: Leadership Summit - North West University (June 2017, Johannesburg).
• Keynote address: Department of Education Celebrating Women (September 2017, Pretoria)

Affiliations/Directorships and other positions held

• Member:  North West Bar Association (1990 -1999); Secretary of the Bar (1998 – 1999). 
• Member:  Aids Committee, Bophuthatswana (1988). 
• Member:  Black Lawyers Association (BLA). 
• Member:  North West Parks Board (1995 - 1999). 
• Director:  Dirapeng (Pty) Ltd and Golden Leopard Resorts (Pty) Ltd (1997 - 1999); Invest North West (Pty) Ltd (1997 - 2000). 
• Member: South African Women Lawyers’ Association (Retired member)
• Governor:  International School of South Africa (1995 - 1999). 
• Member:  Small Claims Court, Mafikeng (1998 - 1999). 
• Member:  Defunct Sub-Committee of the Judicial Education Training Committee. 
• Member:  International Association of Women Judges: SA Chapter. 
• Director:  School Aid of South Africa (NGO −in partnership with School Aid –UK, the Department of Basic Education; Liberty and Standard Bank − for construction/ Renovation of libraries and supply of books for disadvantaged young learners to promote literacy in schools) (2015 to date).
• Member (2021 –2022): Rhodes University Council (public representative at the instance of the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation in terms of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997).
• Chairperson: Pius Langa School of Advocacy (2021-to date).
• Chairperson: Appointments Panel of the Press Council (Current).
• Member of a Panel to consider nominations for membership to the South African Reserve Bank Board (2022 to date).

HOBBIES:

Swimming; Out-door life – Safari, Cycling, and Golf. Currently active in Rural Community Youth Upliftment (educational and recreational opportunities with a view to disengage Youth from environmentally unfriendly and unsafe circumstances): Chairperson: Silverkrans Shotokan - Karate Club/Sports Academy (NGO).

Personal details

Justice Ray Zondo was born at Ixopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal. He is married and he and his wife have been blessed with four children.

Education

He obtained his secondary and high school education at St Mary’s Seminary at Ixopo where he matriculated. He studied law at the University of Zululand, University of Natal (now University of Kwa-Zulu Natal) and later at the University of South Africa. He holds the following degrees:

• B. Iuris (University of Zululand)
• LLB (University of Natal)
• LLM (cum laude) in labour law (University of South Africa)
• LLM with specialization in commercial law (University of South Africa)
• LLM (in patent law) (University of South Africa)

Professional history

Justice Zondo served part of his articles of clerkship under the late Mrs Victoria Mxenge in the latter’s law firm in Durban. After Mrs Mxenge’s assassination by apartheid agents, Justice Zondo ceded his articles of clerkship to Mthembu & Partners and later to Chennels Alberton Attorneys. After admission as an attorney he became a partner in a Durban law firm, Mathe and Zondo Incorporated, in which he practised for a number of years before he was appointed as a Judge. He also served on a part-time basis as a mediator and arbitrator. In 1991 and 1992 Justice Zondo served in two committees of the Commission of Inquiry Regarding the Prevention of Public Violence and Intimidation (also known as the Goldstone Commission) which investigated violence in South Africa during the early 1990’s.

In 1994 Justice Zondo was appointed as a member of the Ministerial Task Team which was given the task of producing a draft Labour Relations Bill for the post-apartheid South Africa. With certain amendments, that Bill was later passed as the Labour Relations Act, 1995. In 1996 he was appointed as the first chairperson of the Governing Body of the Commission for the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) from which position he resigned upon appointment as a Judge

With effect from 1 February 1997 Justice Zondo was appointed as an Acting Judge of the Labour Court. With effect from 1 November 1997 he was appointed as a Judge of the Labour Court. In April/May 1999 he was appointed as a Judge of the then Transvaal Provincial Division of the High Court (now the North Gauteng Division of the High Court) in Pretoria. With effect from 1 August 1999 he was appointed as Acting Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court and Labour Court. With effect from 1 May 2000 he was appointed as Judge President of the Labour Appeal Court and Labour Court for a term of office of ten years.

While he was Judge President, Justice Zondo served in various ad hoc committees established by the Heads of Courts. These included a committee, chaired by Chief Justice P.N Langa, which drew up a document to be used by the Judiciary in dealing with complaints about racism and sexism within the Judiciary. He also served in committees chaired by Judge President Ngoepe which was established by the Heads of Courts to organize the first and second Conferences of Judges in post-apartheid South Africa. Justice Zondo also chaired a committee of the Heads of Courts which looked into the use of official languages in courts.

After completing his term of office as Judge President in 2010, Justice Zondo returned to the North Gauteng Division of the High Court and resumed his duties as a Judge of that court.

With effect from 1 November 2011 Justice Zondo was appointed as an Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court until 31 May 2012. On the 13th August 2012 he was appointed as a Judge of the Constitutional Court with effect from the 1st September 2012.

On 01 June 2017 Justice Zondo was appointed as Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa. On 01 April 2022, Deputy Chief Justice Zondo was appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.

Other activities

Justice Zondo has published articles and written chapters in three books.

Honours and awards

In March 2011 Justice Zondo was honoured by the KZN Legal Forum, consisting of many legal bodies, with an award for his contribution to human rights in South Africa