Personal details

•     20 March 1964, St Cutherts, Tsolo, Eastern Cape
•     Husband: Dabulamnazi Mlokoti
•     Three children

Education

•     Matric: St John’s College, Mthatha
•     B Proc (1986) University of Transkei
•     LLB (1988) University of Natal
•     LLM (1990) Duke University, NC, USA

Professional history

•     Attorney’s Clerk, Dazana Mafungo Inc, Mthatha: 1987 – 1988
•     Court Interpreter and Prosecutor, Magistrates’ Court, Mthatha: 1988 – 1989
•     Legal Policy Counsel & Lobbyist, Womens’ Legal Defense Fund, Washington DC
•     Assistant State Law Adviser, Mthatha: 1991 – 1993
•     Pupillage, Johannesburg Bar: 1993
•     Law Lecturer, University of Transkei: 1993 – 1995
•     Practising Advocate, Transkei Bar: 1994 – 1999
•     Acting Judge, Cape High Court, Mthatha High Court: 1999
•     Judge, Mthatha High Court: 2000
•     Acting Judge, Labour Court, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Bisho High Courts
•     Acting Judge, Supreme Court of Appeal: 2005
•     Judge of Appeal, Supreme Court of Appeal: 2006
•     Acting Judge; Constitutional Court, January to May 2011
•     Acting Judge; Supreme Court of Namibia: 2008;
•     Appeal Court, Lesotho: 2015
•     Deputy President; Supreme Court of Appeal: 2015
•     Acting President; Supreme Court of Appeal: 2016 - 22 May 2017
•     President; Supreme Court of Appeal: June 2017
•     Deputy Chief Justice; Constitutional Court: September 2022 - August 2024
•     Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa: September 2024

Other activities

•     Vice President; International Association of Women Judges: 2023    
•     Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga: 2021
•     Member of the Judicial Service Commission: 2017
•     Council Member: South African Judicial Education Institute: 2017
•     Founding Member (2002); Deputy President (2008 - 2010);President (2018 - 2023): South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges
•     Regional Director: West and Southern Africa; International Association of Women Judges: 2021 - 2022
•     Member; Duke University [USA] Bolch Judicial Institute Leadership Council: 2020
•     Board Member; University of Free State Law Faculty: 2020
•     Advisory Board Member; Yearbook of South African Law: 2020
•     Advisory Board Member; South African Law Journal: 2019
•     Board Member; National Bar Examinations Board: 2016 - 2024
•     Chairperson; South African Law Reform Commission: 2013 - 2016
•     Member; Commonwealth Association of Law Reform Commissions: 2013
•     Patron; Lawyers Against Violence: 2013
•     Trustee; South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law: 2012
•     Editorial Board Member; University of Transkei Law Journal: 2004 – 2005 

Honors and Awards:

•     LLD (Honoris Causa) University of South Africa: 2023
•     Eastern Cape Chamber of Business Annual Law Award: 2020    
•     Duke Law Alumni Association International Award: 2020
•     LLD (Honoris Causa) Nelson Mandela University: 2018
•     LLD (Honoris Causa) Walter Sisulu University: 2019
•     LLD (Honoris Causa) University of Fort Hare: 2020 (conferment deferred for Covid-19)
•     Felicia Kentridge Award: 2022 
•     South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges Recognition Award for contribution to gender transformation in the judiciary: 2010; 2016
•     Recipient of the South African Women Lawyers Association History & Icon Programme: 2012
•     Commonwealth Foundation Fellowship: 2002
•     Fulbright Scholarship: 1989-1990
•     Georgetown University Law & Gender Fellowship Program: 1990