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Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng is the fourth Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa since the dawn of democracy.

Synopsis

He was born in a small village called Goo-Mokgatlh (Koffierkraal) village, in the North West Province of South Africa. He is married to Mmaphefo and they were blessed with three children: Johanna, Mogaetsho and Oteng.

Educational Background

Mogoeng holds the B Juris and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degrees from the Universities of Zululand and Natal respectively. He also holds a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of South Africa. In October 2013, the University of the North West awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree to him. In March 2018, the University of Johannesburg also awarded the Chief Justice with an honorary doctor of Laws degree.

Professional History

Mogoeng Mogoeng started his professional career as a temporary interpreter and was later appointed as High Court prosecutor from March 1986 to February 1990 in Mafikeng. He did pupillage at the Johannesburg Bar and practiced as an Advocate at that Bar from June 1990 until the end of 1991. He left to join Mafikeng Bar from January 1992 and later served as the Deputy Chairperson of that Bar Association until his elevation to the Bench. In June 1997, he was appointed Judge of the North West High Court and in April 2000 a judge of the Labour Appeal Court. In October 2002, he was then elevated to the position of Judge President of the North West High Court.

Mogoeng was requested by fellow judges President to serve as a member of the five-member committee led by the then Chief justice Pius Langa. That committee investigated racial and gender discrimination within the Judiciary and proposed the necessary remedial action.

He was appointed to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of South Africa in 2009 and subsequently elevated to the position of Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa on 08 September 2011. In that capacity, he leads both the Constitutional Court and the Judiciary. He also Chairs the:

  • Judicial Service Commission (JSC)
  • South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI) Council,
  • National Efficiency Committee (NEEC)

In April 2017, Chief Justice Mogoeng was elected as the President of the Conference of the Jurisdictions of Africa (CCJA) for a period of two years. In August 2017, the Chief Justice was appointed Chancellor by the Council of the University of KwaZulu-Natal for a period of four years

Other activities

Mogoeng is an ordained pastor and he serves in several church structures.

  • Prior to joining the judiciary in 1997, Mogoeng also served in the following capacities, all of which have since been resigned:
  • Chairperson: North West Parks Board
  • Chairperson: Agricultural Services Cooperation of the North West Province
  • Chairperson: Agricultural College and the Agricultural School of the North West Province
  • Chairperson: Agricultural Marketing Board of the North West Province
  • Chairperson: Dirapeng (Pty) Ltd
  • Chairperson: Golden Leopards Resorts (Pty) Ltd
  • Member: Black Lawyers Association

    

Speeches by the Chief Justice

OPENING CONGRATULATORY REMARKS BY CHIEF JUSTICE MOGOENG at the Inaugural Congress Republic of Korea

THE PROMOTION OF DEMOCRACY AND CONSTITUTIONAL JUSTICE (Korea Visit)

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF THE SIGNING OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSTITUTION

CHIEF JUSTICE MOGOENG MOGOENG ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNVEILING OF THE MAHATMA GANDHI BUST AT THE CONSTITUTION HILL

THE ROLE OF THE JUDICIARY IN PROMOTING PEACE, GOOD GOVERNANCE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The Rule of Law in South Africa: Measuring Judicial Performance and Meeting Standards "Chatham House"