South Africa's new Chief Justice
2 October 2009
President Jacob Zuma confirmed this week that Constitutional Court Judge Sandile Ngcobo would take over the reins as South Africa's Chief Justice from Pius Langa, who retires later this month.
"Justice Ngcobo brings over 35 years of practice and experience both here and abroad," said Zuma in Pretoria this week. "It is his track record in promoting and protecting human rights that earned the respect [of his peers]."
Flanked by family members, Ngcobo appeared calm as he arrived at the Presidential Guesthouse, where his new role was formally announced on Thursday. Ngcobo later told journalists that he was humbled by the trust and confidence shown in him by Zuma.
"I am mindful of the mammoth task ahead and the challenges facing the judiciary," he said. "However, I am a judge and therefore cannot make any promises, but I can make a commitment to the Constitution of the country."
'Vast and valuable' experience
The Law Society of South Africa welcomed Ngcobo's appointment, believing that he would serve as he had done in the past, and with the same fervour and dignity displayed by outgoing Chief Justice Pius Langa.
"Ngcobo brings vast and invaluable breadth of experience to the judiciary," said the body, which represents the country's 18 800 attorneys and 4 900 candidate attorneys. "We are confident that our judiciary and our courts are in good hands."
They were also confident that Ngcobo would continue to protect and promote the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the rule of law throughout his tenure.
"We assure the new chief justice of our continuing support, particularly with regards to upholding and safeguarding the independence, impartiality and dignity of the judiciary, the courts and the legal profession," they said.
Upholding the constitution
Ngcobo's appointment has also been welcomed by political parties.
The African National Congress said he brings to the Constitutional Court experience that will ensure that the judiciary remains an "independent arbiter". It said his commitment to uphold the oath of office and to administer justice to all persons without fear, favour or prejudice gives comfort and confidence to all, they said.
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said his appointment brought with it the sacred responsibility of upholding South Africa's laws and safeguarding the Constitution.
"It is our hope that Chief Justice Ngcobo bears this responsibility with the same intellectual independence and wisdom that have characterised his time in the Constitutional Court thus far."
The Inkatha Freedom Party President Mangosuthu Buthelezi also expressed confidence that Ngcobo would rigorously uphold the Constitution as the country's "law of the law" and would bring clarity of thought and intellectual integrity to the role.
Highly educated
Described as an intellectual, Ngcobo is highly educated in law having graduated from the University of Zululand with a B Proc (Bachelor of Law), earning distinctions in constitutional law, mercantile law and accounting. From 1983 to 1985 he studied for an LLB at the University of Natal in Durban.
He was detained by apartheid forces for his political activism between 1976 to July 1977.
From April 1996 to the end of August that year, he was an acting judge of the Supreme Court, Cape of Good Hope Provincial Division. In September 1996 he was made a judge of the same division. From January to December 1997 he was an acting judge of the Labour Appeal Court; in November that year he was appointed a judge of the court.
In 1999 Ngcobo was appointed the acting Judge President of the Labour Court and Labour Appeal Courts.
Ngcobo has published many papers on topics such as justice, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, housing segregation and gender equality.
He will assume his new role of Chief Justice on 12 October.
Source: BuaNews
