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
- Vice President; International Association of Women Judges: 2023