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.