Personal details

Sisi Khampepe was born on 8 January 1957 in Soweto, Gauteng Province, South Africa. She is married with two children.

Education

She obtained her B Proc from the University of Zululand in 1980. She obtained her LLM degree at Harvard Law School, Massachusetts, USA in 1982.

Professional history

She began her legal career as a legal advisor in the Industrial Aid Society, where she did vacation employment from 1979 - 1980. Here she was exposed to the dishonourable employment conditions of Black workers. Between the years 1981 and 1983, she served as a fellow in the Legal Resources Centre.

In 1983 she joined Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys as a Candidate Attorney. After being admitted as an attorney in 1985, she established her own law firm, practicing under the name SV Khampepe Attorneys. Her law firm was especially renowned for defending the rights of workers against unjust laws and unfair employment practices. She also represented other human rights bodies such as hawkers, civic and black consumer union.

Her law firm was one of the few Black labour law firms in the country. She represented unions affiliated to both Nactu and Cosatu. She was the national legal advisor of SACAWU. She was the administrator of union funds in FIET and ICFTU.

In 1995 she was appointed by former President Mandela as a TRC Commissioner and in the following year she was a member of the TRC’s Amnesty Committee. She was then employed by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development as Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, a post she held from September 1998 to December 1999.

In December 2000, she was appointed as a Judge in the High Court (TPD). In the Labour Appeals Court in November 2007.

In the period April 2005 – February 2006, she was appointed by former President Mbeki to chair the Commission of Enquiry into the mandate and location of the Directorate of Special Operation (the Khampepe Commission).

In 2004, was appointed by former President Mbeki to oversee the elections in Zimbabwe.

In February 2006, the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Hert Hon Donald C McKinnon, seconded her as a member of the Commonwealth Observer Group to the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections in Uganda.

She was Vice Chairperson of the National Council of Correctional Services since 2005 to April 2010.

In October 2009 she was appointed as a Judge to the Constitutional Court.

Other activities

Justice Khampepe has been involved in various legal and community organizations.

Legal organizations:
1981 – 1983: International Law Society, Harvard Law School
1985 – 2000: The Law Society of the TVL (Northern Province)
1985 – Date: Member of the Black Lawyers Association
1987 : Association of Law Societies Community Organizations:
1978 – 1988: Facilitator of the Street Committee, Soweto
1983 – 1986: Selection Committee Member of South African Legal Education Programme
1985 – 1986: Legal Advisor of National Black Consumer Union
1985 – 1986: Legal Advisor of Sechaba Sizwe Agricultural Cooperative
1988 – 1989: Legal Advisor of African Council of Hawkers and Informal Business
1988 – 1999: Vice Chairperson of Women’s Desk on Children and Woman Abuse
1988: Legal Advisor of the Orlando Pirates Football Club
1990 – 1995: Trade Unions’ Fund Administrator of Federation International Des Employes
1993 – 1996: Vice Chairperson of the Mediation and Conciliation Centre
1993 – 1999: Executive Committee Member of Lesego women’s club
1993: Trustee of SACCAWU Investment Trust 1994: Employment Advisory Centre
1994: J G Strydom (Helen Joseph) Hospital Board of Governors
1994: Selection Committee Member of Public Service Commission
2006: Donor to the Sparrow Rainbow Village (AIDS Hospice)

Community Organizations:
1978 – 1988: Facilitator of the Street Committee, Soweto
1988 – 1999: Vice Chairperson of Women’s Desk on Children and Woman Abuse
1990 – 1995: Trade Unions’ Fund Administrator of Federation International Des Employes
1993 – 1999: Executive Committee Member of Lesego women’s club
1993: Trustee of SACCAWU Investment Trust
1994: Employment Advisory Centre
1994: J G Strydom (Helen Joseph) Hospital Board of Governors
1994: Selection Committee Member of Public Service Commission
2006: Donor to the Sparrow Rainbow Village (AIDS Hospice

Personal details

Bess Nkabinde (born Motsatsi) was born in Silwerkrans/Tlokweng (North West Province) on 15 May 1959.  She is blessed with four children.

Education

She matriculated at Mariasdal High School, Tweespruit, Free State Province in 1979. She obtained a BProc degree at the University of Zululand in 1983.  In 1986, she obtained an LLB from North West University.  She was awarded a Diploma in Industrial Relations with Distinction in 1987.

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. 
• 1994 – 1995:  Mpshe Commission of Inquiry into the Mutiny of Warders at Mogwase Prison (Role of investigation and leading of evidence). 
• 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:  Acting Judge of the Labour Court – one term (Johannesburg). 
• 2003:  Acting Judge of the Labour Court - one term (Johannesburg). 
• 2003:  Appointed to serve 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. 
• October 2004 - May 2005:  Acting Judge of the Labour Appeal Court. 
• 2004:  Member of the Sub- Committee of the Coordinating Committee of the Justice System: on Racism and Sexism within the Judiciary Member. 
• 2004 - 2013:  Chairperson of the Rules Board for Courts of Law. 
• 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.

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). 
• 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).

Other 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” which was convened by the Chief Justice BN Kirpal and facilitated by Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), International Center 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 on “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) (MMABATHO, MAFIKENG).
• Paper and presentation: “Socio-economic justice” during the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) road-show in bringing Parliament to the People (MMMABATHO, MAFIKENG).  
• 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. 

(August 2007-DAKAR, SENEGAL) 

The moot Court is one of the most useful mediums for contact and exchange between law students, academics and Judges from all over Africa on issues concerning human rights.  The Centre for Human Rights was awarded the UNESCO 2006 Prize for Human Rights Education on recognition of its contribution to human rights education on the continent through the Moot Court Competition and the LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa.  

Teaching/Conducting seminars for post-graduate students at the University of Maryland, School of Law faculty on the topic of: “Introduction to South African Constitutional Jurisprudence”. 

(September-October 2008 – BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

JSC interview

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

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