Personal details
Mahomed Navsa grew up in Edenvale, Gauteng. He is married and has three children.
Education
Navsa obtained his BA in 1978 and LLB in 1980 from the University of the Western Cape.
Professional history
In 1981 he was a fellow at the Legal Resources Centre, a public interest law firm. He was admitted as an advocate in 1981. From 1982 to 1990 he was director of the LRC’s advice centre program, traveling to townships in the East and West Rand to assist people who attended at community advice centres with their legal problems. From 1991-1994 he was director of the Johannesburg office of the LRC.
In 1995 Navsa was appointed a judge of the High Court, stationed at the Johannesburg High Court. In 2001 he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. He also once served as a member of a Special Electoral Court.
From 1997 Navsa was involved in judicial training as part of the JSC’s Legal-Education Subcommittee. In 2004 he became a member of the Interim Advisory Committee of the National Justice College of South Africa where he continued to be involved in judicial training. Together with George Bizos he was involved in drafting legislation which, after amendments and approval by Government, resulted in the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
From 1998 to 2002 Navsa was chairperson of the State-funded Legal Aid Board.
In 2003 he was appointed an honorary Professor at the University of the Western Cape.
Other activities
- Navsa is a trustee of the Legal Resources Trust and has over the years served as a member of a number of developmental institutions.
- From 1993-2004 he was a junior soccer coach in the East Rand.
Personal details
2 May 1964, Port Elizabeth. One child
Education
- Matric: Kenneth Masekela High School, Kwa-Thema, Springs
- B Proc (1987) University of the North, Limpopo
Professional history
- Attorney, N Mhlantla & Associates: 1990 – 31 May 2002
- Acting Judge, Eastern Cape High Court: April 2000 – 30 September 2000
- Judge of the High Court, Eastern Cape: 1 June 2002 – 30 November 2008
- Acting Judge, Supreme Court of Appeal: 1 June – 30 November 2008
- Judge of Appeal, Supreme Court of Appeal: 2009
Personal details
7 November 1966, Durban
Husband: Charles Sarjoo
Four children
Education
Matric: Sparks Estate Senior Secondary School, Sydenham
BA (1987) University of Natal
LLB (1989) University of Natal
LLM (1990) Washington DC, USA
Professional history
Dawson & Partners; Durban (Candidate Attorney): February 1983 to June 1989
University of Natal; Durban (Acting Street Law Co-ordinator): November 1988 to January 1989
Adjunct Lecturer Mangosuthu Technikon, Umlazi: February to June 1989
International Labour Organisation (ILO); Washington D.C (Special Assistant to the Director): December 1989 to May 1990
Occupational Safety and Health Law Centre; Washington D.C (Summer Associate): June 1990 to July 1990
Advocate of the High Court, Kwa-Zulu Natal: December 1990
Reich, Adell & Crost Law Offices; Washington D.C (Summer Associate): August 1990 to September 1990
Community Law Centre (Trainer): November 1990 to June 1991
Part time Lecturer, University of Natal: July 1994 to November 1994
Independent Electoral Commission (Provincial Adjudication Secretary): July 1994 to November 1994
Judge White Commission (Formerly Browde Commission): January 1995 to May 1997
Judicial positions
OK Bazaars; Umhlanga Rocks (Part-time Cashier): December 1983 to January 1989
Legal Aid Clinic, University of Natal; Durban (Part-time Legal Advisor/Secretary): May 1986 to November 1988
Acting Judge, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, 1998 – 1999
Judge of the High Court of South Africa (Natal Provincial Division): 15 October 1999 to 2010
Acting Judge, Supreme Court of Appeal (Bloemfontein): May 2006 to June 2007 and December 2009 to March 2010
Judge of Appeal, Supreme Court of Appeal (Bloemfontein): 1 December 2010
Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa: February 2015 to May 2015
Publications, Awards, Honours and Other Activities:
KZN Legal Forum Award for Contribution to the Development of Justice in South Africa: 2011
University of Durban Westville, Mababongwe Award: 2003
Department of Justice Woman Achiever of the Year: 2000
Commonwealth Foundation Fellow: 1995 – Visited London, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
Post/Natal Young Achiever of the Year Finalist: 1994
Fullbright Scholarship: 1990
Black South African Lawyers Program, Georgetown University, Washington DC, USA: 1990
Board Member: Rules Board for Courts of Law
Trustee: African Monitor
Council Member: Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association
Council Member: Ombudsman for Long Term Insurance
Council Member: South African Judicial Education Institute
Founding Member of the South African Chapter of the International Association of Woman Judges (IAWJ)
Vice President of Programs: 2003 – 2007