Meet
The Judges
The Constitutional Court has seen a diverse group of men and women from different walks of life occupying its bench. Before being appointed, the judges pursued a wide range of interesting professions and worked, among others, as lawyers, academics, nursing assistants and anti-apartheid activists.
The judges’ biographies give us a glimpse of who they are beyond their green robes. People who know them either personally or professionally have contributed.
There is still much to be discovered and shared about these compelling personalities who have shaped our constitutional democracy. Please send us any stories, photographs, or documents that will enrich these profiles.
FORMER JUDGES
Ismail Mahomed
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Elevated to Judge President in 1998
-Died in 2000 as Chief Justice
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-Elevated to Judge President in 1998
-Died in 2000 as Chief Justice
Arthur Chaskalson
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994 as Judge President
-Title changed to Chief Justice in 2001
-Retired in 2005
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-Title changed to Chief Justice in 2001
-Retired in 2005
Kate O’Regan
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2009
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-Retired in 2009
Yvonne Mokgoro
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2009
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-Retired in 2009
Laurie Ackermann
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2004
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-Retired in 2004
Johann Kriegler
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2003
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-Retired in 2003
Tholie Madala
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2008
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-Retired in 2008
Pius Langa
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Elevated to Chief Justice in 2005 by President Thabo Mbeki
-Retired in 2009
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-Elevated to Chief Justice in 2005 by President Thabo Mbeki
-Retired in 2009
Richard Goldstone
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2003
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-Retired in 2003
John Didcott
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Died in 1998 whilst still serving the Court
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-Died in 1998 whilst still serving the Court
Albie Sachs
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1994
-Retired in 2009
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-Retired in 2009
Thembile Skweyiya
-Appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2017
-Succeeded Justice Johann van der Westhuizen
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-Succeeded Justice Johann van der Westhuizen
Johann van der Westhuizen
-Appointed by President Thabo Mbeki in 2004
-Retired in 2016
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-Retired in 2016
Bess Nkabinde–Mmono
-Appointed by President Thabo Mbeki in 2006
-Retired in 2017
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-Retired in 2017
Dikgang Moseneke
-Appointed by President Thabo Mbeki in 2002
-Elevated by President Thabo Mbeki to Deputy Chief Justice in 2005
-Retired in 2016
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-Elevated by President Thabo Mbeki to Deputy Chief Justice in 2005
-Retired in 2016
Zak Yacoob
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1998
-Retired in 2013
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-Retired in 2013
Edwin Cameron
-Appointed by President Kgalema Motlanthe in 2009
-Retired in 2019
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-Retired in 2019
Sandile Ngcobo
-Appointed by President Nelson Mandela in 1999
-Elevated to Chief Justice by President Jacob Zuma in 2009
-Retired in 2011
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-Retired in 2011
Johan Froneman
-Appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2009
-Succeeded Justice Kate O’Regan
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-Succeeded Justice Kate O’Regan
Mogoeng Mogoeng
-Appointed by President Jacob Zuma as Chief Justice in 2009
-Succeeded Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in 2011
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-Succeeded Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in 2011
Chris Jafta
- Appointed by President Jacob Zuma as Chief Justice in 2009
- Succeeded Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in 2011
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- Succeeded Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in 2011
Current Judges (As of 2020):
Ray Zondo
Appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2012
-Succeeded DCJ Moseneke in 2016
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-Succeeded DCJ Moseneke in 2016
Leona Theron
- Appointed by President Jacob Zuma as Chief Justice in 2009
- Succeeded Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in 2011
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- Succeeded Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo in 2011
Sisi Khampepe
-Appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2009
-Succeeded Justice Yvonne Mokgoro
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-Succeeded Justice Yvonne Mokgoro
Nonkosi Zoliswa Mhlantla
-Appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2015
-Succeeded Justice Thembile Skweyiya
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-Succeeded Justice Thembile Skweyiya
Mbuyiseli Madlanga
-Appointed by President Jacob Zuma in 2013
-Succeeded Justice Zak Yacoob
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-Succeeded Justice Zak Yacoob
Steven Arnold Majiedt
-Appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019
-Succeeded Justice Bess Nkabinde–Mmono
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-Succeeded Justice Bess Nkabinde–Mmono
Zukisa Laura Lumka Tshiqi
-Appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2019
-Succeeded Justice Edwin Cameron
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-Succeeded Justice Edwin Cameron
