The appointment of Justice Nonkosi Zoliswa Nhlantla as judge of the Constitutional Court, in addition to eight women judges out of 12 appointments, shows progress that the country has made in creating more opportunities for women in the judiciary after 1994, said the Minister in the Presidency for Women, Susan Shabangu in Pretoria.
Shabangu was commenting after President Jacob Zuma announced the appointments.
“Some of these have translated into increased opportunities for women in the judiciary and consequently, a reduction of the opportunity gap between men and women.
“In 1994, when the democratic dispensation kicked in, there were only two white women in the judiciary, which was below zero percent. Today there are two women Judge Presidents and two women Deputy Judge Presidents, and women constitute more than 30% of the judiciary,” she noted.
Justice Nonkosi Zoliswa Mhlantla was appointed as a Judge of the Constitutional Court with effect from 1 December 2015.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) and the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) made for the recommendations and appointment of the eight women.
The eight judges will take charge of the Eastern Cape High Court, Northern Cape High Court, North and South Gauteng High Courts and the Labour Court.
