Martha Mbhele
Deputy Judge President of the Free State High Court | |
---|---|
Assumed office 1 July 2021 | |
Appointed by | Cyril Ramaphosa |
President | Cagney Musi |
Preceded by | Cagney Musi |
Judge of the High Court | |
Assumed office 1 January 2016 | |
Appointed by | Jacob Zuma |
Division | Free State Division |
Personal details | |
Born | University of the North | 3 September 1973
Nobulawo Martha Mbhele (born 3 September 1973) is a South African
Early life and education
Mbhele was born on 3 September 1973[1] in Lindley in the former Orange Free State (now the Free State).[2] She attended primarily school on the farm where her parents worked,[2] though she matriculated at Kgola-Thuto High School in Phuthaditjhaba.[1]
When she enrolled at the
Legal career
After her graduation, Mbhele was a candidate attorney between 1996 and 2000, moving from Kubushi Molemela Attorneys (the firm of Mahube Molemela and Elizabeth Kubushi) to TP Mosese Attorneys in 1998.[1] She was admitted as an attorney on 8 March 2001, towards the end of a year-long stint as the coordinator of the Thusanang Advice Centre in Phuthaditjhaba.[1] In April 2001, she entered practice with ten months as an attorney at Peete Mosese Incorporated,[1] where she primarily handled commercial law, labour law, and family law matters.[3] She was also a part-time lecturer at the Free State Technikon from 1999 to 2002.[1]
For a decade between 2002 and 2012, Mbhele worked at
In August 2012, she left Legal Aid to become a director at Mhlambi Incorporated,[1] entering into partnership with Joseph Mhlambi.[2] While at the firm, Mbhele was also a member of the Free State Operating Licensing Board, and, in 2015, the deputy chairperson of Matjhabeng Local Municipality's planning tribunal.[1] She was an acting judge in the Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa for several months cumulatively between 2014 and 2015.[1]
Throughout her legal career, Mbhele was an active member of the Black Lawyers Association, which she joined as a candidate attorney in 1996. She rose through the ranks of the organisation, serving two terms as the chairperson of its Free State branch from 2006 to 2010 and one term as the organisation's national treasurer from 2011 to 2013.[1] She was a member of the African National Congress until her appointment to the bench.[2]
Free State High Court: 2016–present
In October 2015, Mbhele was one of seven candidates whom the Judicial Service Commission shortlisted and interviewed for possible permanent appointment to two judicial vacancies in the Free State Division.[4] During her interview, she defended herself against the Free State Bar's complaint that she had only four years' experience in court, arguing that she had been attending court and handling court cases throughout her 19-year career.[2] After its hearings, the Judicial Service Commission recommended Mbhele and Celeste Reinders for appointment,[5] and President Jacob Zuma confirmed their nominations with effect from 1 January 2016.[6][7]
While serving in the High Court, Mbhele was an acting judge in the
Deputy judge presidency
After Cagney Musi vacated the Free State Division's deputy judge presidency to become Judge President, Mbhele was acting Deputy Judge President for three three-month terms in 2020 and early 2021.[1] In February 2021, the Judicial Service Commission announced that she was one of three candidates shortlisted for permanent appointment as Deputy Judge President; the others were Judges Johannes Daffue and Somaganthie Naidoo,[9] both senior to Mbhele on the bench.[8] Daffue told the commission that Mbhele was "still young" and that "her time will come", but, during her own interview, Mbhele objected to this attitude, saying, "I can do this job, and I am capable."[10]
The Judicial Service Commission recommended her for the position and President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed her appointment with effect from 1 July 2021.[11] She stood in for Musi as acting Judge President from January to September 2022 and from October to November 2023.[1]
Personal life
Mbhele has two children.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Mbhele, Nobulawo Martha". Supreme Court of Appeal. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Evans, Jenni (7 October 2015). "'Shipping competency' lands aspiring judge in troubled waters". News24. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Private sector: Attorneys". The Mail & Guardian. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Evans, Jenni (7 October 2015). "Free State premier delays JSC interviews". News24. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Evans, Jenni (8 October 2015). "New Free State judges appointed". News24. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Gqirana, Thulani (17 December 2015). "Zuma appoints eight women as judges". News24. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "Zuma's dozen: judge for yourself". Sowetan. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Judge N M Mbhele". Judges Matter. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "JSC shortlists candidates for judicial positions". News24. 2 February 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ Chabalala, Jeanette (15 April 2021). "I'm capable, says Martha Mbhele who has been recommended for Free State deputy judge president post". News24. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
- ^ "President appoints judges from April 2021 JSC interviews". Judges Matter. 13 August 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
External links
- Mbhele, Nobulawo Martha at Supreme Court of Appeal
- N. M. Mbhele at Judges Matter
- Review by the Bar Council