#AlumniOnTheMove | President Ramaphosa appoints UFH Law Alumna, Justice Mahube Molema as SCA Judge President

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed one of the University of Fort Hare’s honoured Law Alumna, Justice Mahube Betty Molemela as president of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) with effect from 1 June 2023.

News of Justice Molemela’s appointment was announced last week following her nomination by the President earlier this year.

According to a media statement issued by SA Government, the President made this appointment in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution, after consulting the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of parties represented in the National Assembly.

Born and raised in Bloemfontein, Justice Molemela holds a BA and a B.Proc Degree from the University of Fort Hare among her impressive list of qualifications. She started her judicial career in 1987 as Prosecutor and was admitted as an Attorney in 1993, and as Conveyancer and Notary in 1996.

She made history when she was appointed as the first female Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa, before her promotion to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2018.

She has also served as a Judge of the Labour and Labour Appeal Court, Acting Judge of the Competition Appeal Court and Acting Judge of the Constitutional Court for two terms in 2015.

The position of the SCA President became vacant following the appointment of Justice Mandisa Maya, a UFH Honorary Doctorate Alumni, to the position of the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court with effect from 01 September 2022.

Commenting on her appointment, President Ramaphosa stated: “Justice Molemela’s appointment adds impetus to the continuing transformation of key institutions of our democracy, including the judiciary. Justice Molemela is an outstanding jurist who will play a critical role in entrenching justice for all South Africans.”

Photo: Judge Matters 

Source: https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-appoints-madam-jus...