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Office of the Commissioners

Commissioners provide guidance in developing the vision of the institution by setting its priorities and ensuring that its policies, programmes and allocated resources are consistent with their vision. This is done through exercising good corporate governance and providing leadership and guidance on the professional work of the Commission. Commissioners hold fortnightly performance reporting meetings with the CEO to oversee the quarterly plenary reporting processes. 

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Professor Bongani Christopher Majola

Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission

Professor Bongani Christopher Majola holds a Masters of Law Degree (LLM) from Harvard Law School, USA.  Before graduating with an LLM from Harvard Law School in 1988, Prof. Majola obtained a Public Service Law Diploma in 1975, a Public Service Senior Law Certificate (Diploma Legum) in 1977, B. Iuris Degree in 1980, and a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1982.  All qualifications before the Professor’s LLM were obtained at the University of Zululand. 
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Fatima Chohan

Deputy Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission

Ms. Fatima Chohan is currently the Deputy Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission. She previously served as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. She was first appointed as a Member of Parliament in 1996 and became Deputy Minister of Home Affairs in 2010.
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Advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji

Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission

Advocate Bokankatla Joseph Malatji made history by being the first black, blind student to be admitted at the University of the North in 1971 and then the first black, blind person to be admitted as an Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa in 1977. Advocate Malatji, during his first seven year term as a Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission, was very active in the field of disability rights as this was one of his Focus Areas. At international, regional and domestic level, Advocate Malatji has participated in numerous platforms. In 2014, Advocate Malatji was invited to be part of the United Nations Working Group on the Promotion of the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNPRPD).
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Philile Ntuli

Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission

Philile Ntuli’s life’s work focuses on women’s relationship with the state. She is particularly interested in exploring how/whether South Africa’s project of democratisation can disrupt historical gendered hierarchies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and English Literature, as well as a post-graduate Diploma on Public Policy Development from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. She further obtained an Honours Degree in Sociology (Gender Studies) and a Master’s Degree in Social Science: Gender Studies from the University of Pretoria. Ms Ntuli has also attained certification from the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute, on the topic of the African Political Economy. In addition, she has received training in Media Monitoring and Public Relations.
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Advocate Andre Hurtley Gaum

Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission responsible for Basic Education 

Advocate André Hurtley Gaum obtained the BA, (Law) LLB and LLM (in Constitutional Law) degrees from the University of Stellenbosch.  He was admitted as an Attorney and thereafter as Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.

Advocate Gaum’s work relating to the Constitution of South Africa started at its inception, when he was involved in an advisory capacity in the final stage of the negotiation process that led to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Act 108 of 1996. He has been a member of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee from 1999 to 2000, 2005 to 2009 and 2011 to 2014. 
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Matlhodi Angelina (Angie) Makwetla

Full-time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission Responsible for Children’s Rights 

PERSONAL MISSION:  TO LIVE CONSCIOUSLY, TO LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY AND TO LEAVE A MEANINGFUL LEGACY

Angie holds a BA (Social Work) degree from the University of the North, a Management Certificate from Arthur D Little Management School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, an Empowerment Workshop Trainer certificate from the Empowerment Institute in New York, and an SMME Management Certificate from Galilee College in Israel.
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Advocate Jonas Ben Sibanyoni

Part-Time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission

Advocate Jonas Ben Sibanyoni obtained a B. Proc degree from the University of Zululand in 1981 and was admitted as an Attorney on the 10th July 1984. In 1995, the High Court of the Republic of South Africa granted him a Right of Audience. In March 1998, he served as a Member of the Amnesty Committee, Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), until February 2001.
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Andrew Christoffel Nissen

Part-Time Commissioner of the South African Human Rights Commission

Andrew Christoffel Nissen holds a Joint Board Diploma in Theology from the Federal Theological Seminary in Pietermaritzburg obtained in 1980. He then graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Honours degree from the University of Cape Town in 1988. His dissertation: An Investigation into the supposed loss of Khoikhoi Traditional Religious Heritage, earned him his Masters of Arts degree in 1990. Due to his work, Mr. Nissen has been honoured by having streets named after him as well as a school in Knysna.

About us

Understanding PAIA

The Human Rights Commission is the national institution established to support constitutional democracy. It is committed to promote respect for, observance of and protection of human rights for everyone without fear or favour.

27 Stiemens Street, Braamfontein

011 877 3600 (Switchboard)