Chief Justice Molatelo Tlowana

Molatelo Tlowana (she/her) is the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal (student court) of the University of Pretoria. She is currently an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Candidate Fellow due for graduation into the Association at the end of 2021. Molatelo’s passion for mental health awareness and cultivating a culture that seeks to foster holistic wellness led her to serve in the TuksRes Wellbeing committee for House Nerina. In 2019, she served in the founding committee of the University of Pretoria Women in Law (UPWIL) as the head of Academics.

With the rate at which 4IR tech innovations are penetrating the legal fraternity, particularly in large law firms that have a global footprint, Molatelo is interested in pioneering ways in which the bureaucracy of South Africa’s court systems can be made easier by such technologies. She intends to leverage on legaltech to advance administrative justice and procedural fairness. Molatelo also has a passion for making the law accessible and understandable to the everyday person. After completing her LLB, she aspires to take up a clerkship at the Constitutional Court of South Africa before going into legal practice.

Her leisure days are usually spent listening to podcasts, reading African literature, painting, and thrifting. As a self-proclaimed mixologist and barrister, she looks forward to hosting her friends for brunches and dinner parties. Molatelo also plans to one day take a 6-month sabbatical to backpack through Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, in that order.            

"Hunger only for a taste of justice

Hunger only for a world of truth

'Cause all that you have is your soul"

- Tracy Chapman

Deputy Chief Justice Thabani Mabubula

Thabani is the sitting Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Tribunal and simultaneously chairs the Discipline and Standards Committee of the Tribunal. He enters the Tribunal ready to contribute a unique perspective on matters and a keenness to strengthen the Tribunal’s presence in the University.

He is an active member of his residence and enjoys the subcultures that such a ‘melting pot’ of students can bring about. His interpersonal skills allow for great conversation from all things big and small - so stop and ask him to discuss anything under the sun.

Academically he is a finance boffin, so much so that he ventured out to tutor second-year Accounting students. He has a readiness to lend a helping hand and can fill a room with his captivating laugh.

Thabani stands firmly for the achievement of justice for all. He has a keen interest in Jurisprudence, particularly in how ordinary persons approach and interact with the law and legal systems. This interest in particular allows for an approach to development that allows one to step out of their shoes and see matters in a different light.

Ultimately, Thabani’s well-rounded character is owed to his willingness to explore; try new things and meet new (and often interesting) people. He is an incredibly resilient and talented individual with a bright future.     

"To be afraid is to behave as if the truth were not true."

— Bayard Rustin

Justice Jason Lane (Registrar)

Jason is the Registrar (Judge) of the Constitutional Tribunal (Student Court) of the University of Pretoria. He is well-versed in administrative matters and is experienced in legal writing, research, drafting of documents, and public speaking. He has served in various leadership roles during his time at school and university. He first studied BA Law, majoring in Philosophy, and will continue on to complete his LLB.

He is passionate about pursuing his studies which is ensured through his determination and drive. He has also involved himself outside his studies. He was a finalist at the Group 621 Commercial Law Moot in 2019 where he was awarded 3rd best speaker. He served as the Chairperson of the Presiding Committee for TuksVillage in addition to being a House Committee Member for Tuksvillage in 2019.

He has a soft spot for dogs, is rarely without food, and is always looking for a new endeavour in which to invest his energy. He is eagerly awaiting to find the next adventure and will quickly tack a new line towards it.     

"In the World through which I travel, I am endlessly creating myself"

- Frantz Fanon

Senior Judge Tshephisho Somo

Tshephisho is currently a sitting judge of the Constitutional tribunal. She developed an interest in the law as a high school student while participating in and winning numerous public speaking competitions.

As an undergraduate student, she participated in and won several Moot Court competitions while tutoring and winning several module prizes. She graduated with her LLB degree cum laude in 2016. Following her graduation, she was appointed as a candidate attorney at Adams & Adams, whereafter she worked as an associate at the firm and later on as an associate at CMS RM Partners. She has experience in corporate law, insurance law, family law, and administrative law. She’s currently completing her Master’s degree in Extractive Industry Law in Africa and working as an academic associate in the Jurisprudence department.

In her free time, she reads poetry and anything and everything by Gabriel Garciá Márquez. In the event that she is not reading, she is either learning French or Korean so she has no need for subtitles when watching Korean and French dramas; or watching the most gruesome anime.

"I pity the dreamer with no work ethic. His imagination will take him where his reality dare not touch."

- Unknown

Judge Zakariya Adam

Zakariya is a newly appointed judge of the Constitutional Tribunal and has a passion for the law, education, business and the economy. Zakariya has a keen interest in the well-being of students and is a firm believer in the necessity of student governance and leadership.

The accomplishments Zakariya holds dearest is that of his appointment as the Durban Youth Council Deputy Mayor in his grade 11 year (2017) and his internship with the Equal Education Law Centre in Cape Town (2019). Zakariya is also currently employed at the University of Pretoria IT Hub (Laptop Support).

While somewhat inexperienced, he brings with him a strong work ethic, a keen desire for social justice and a will to learn. Zakariya is a third-year BCom Law student taking on the economics and business management stream and while he sees himself making a substantial impact on those respective areas of society, he also intends on making his mark in the world of Human Rights Law and accomplishing great humanitarian feats one day.

In his free time, Zakariya is either watching his favourite series on Netflix or complaining about Pretoria's lack of a beach. He considers himself a "Durbanite", through and through, but has come to love Pretoria and the people in it, and definitely sees himself being in Gauteng for a long time.               

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

- Malcolm X

Judge Jason Hudson

Jason holds degrees in BSc (Human Physiology, Genetics and Psychology) and BSc Hons (Medical Criminalistics) and is a third-year LLB student.

During his academic career, he has been fortunate enough to have collected some accolades. He has been a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society since 2015 and was awarded the prize of the best student in Law of Persons for the 2019 academic year and also appeared on the 2019 Dean's Merit List. Jason was a STARS Mentor during 2020 and is also proud to currently be a tutor in the Department of Jurisprudence.

He hopes that one day he will be an asset to society in his position as a legal professional by making the law more accessible to all people. He dreams that the barriers and delineations that divide our society will be broken down so that we may celebrate all the things that make us different, instead of demonising them.

He loves to quote vines spontaneously, and he is proud to say that he has never attempted a TikTok dance. When he is not burning the midnight oil, he can usually be found reading (something other than case law for a change), drinking iced coffee, napping, cooking or getting rid of his extra energy by jogging or hiking.

Jason firmly believes that knowledge is power, and education is something that no one will ever be able to take away from you.

“There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance”

– Socrates

Judge Waldo Krige

Waldo is a sitting judge of the Constitutional Tribunal.

He is in the penultimate year of his LLB studies after completing his BCom(Law) degree, majoring in micro- and macroeconomics, in 2020.  During the past three years, he has served on the Law House Transformation and Culture Subcommittee, as well as the executive committee of the United Nations Youth Association.  He is also the current Chairperson of the Juventus Student Organization, an off-campus youth group.

Waldo has a passion for debating and had the privilege of representing the University of Pretoria as an adjudicator at the 2019 World University Debating Championship.  He also enjoys mooting and recently took part in the Group 621 Commercial Moot Court Competition in 2019, where he and his partner finished second place in the tournament.

Waldo loves being in nature and has never said no to a weekend of camping or going for a hike somewhere up some mountain.  When he is not outdoors, Waldo can easily be found binge-watching a random series while sipping on a cup of hot chocolate heaped with as many marshmallows as he can find.       

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." 

-  Margaret Mead

Judge Sky Kruger

Sky is a newly appointed Student Judge on the Constitutional Tribunal and is a final year LLB student. He completed his BA Law in 2019; majoring in Psychology and graduating with distinction. He has also been a member of the Golden Key Honours Society throughout his studies.

Sky has been in positions of student leadership since high school and has always been motivated by a need to develop a more just and equitable society. He has been involved in societies within UP such as the Law House Transformation Sub-Committee and ManDown that focus on student wellness and visibility. The combination of law and psychology has developed Sky’s interest in the regulation of power and the realisation and protection of human rights. To that end, he is currently exploring the potential for a Pan-Africanist approach to the protection of refugees’ right in South Africa as part of his fourth-year LLB dissertation.

One of Sky’s favourite pastimes is learning about niched topics through books, documentaries and people. He is an open-minded individual who relishes the opportunity to question and discuss things traditionally deemed controversial. Sky enjoys partaking in activities in which he has minimal talent such as photography, film critique and living a well-balanced life.

"Questions you cannot answer are usually far better for you than answers you cannot question"

- Yuval Noah Harari

Judge Odwa Mashwabane

Odwa is currently a sitting Judge of the Constitutional Tribunal (Student Court) of the University of Pretoria. This year (2021) will be his first year serving on the Tribunal.

Odwa is no stranger to service, having attained the highest award for service at his alma mater. He has been in leadership roles since his high school period, ranging from sports captain to prefectship positions. In 2020, Odwa served as the Chairperson of Students for Law and Social Justice and as Treasurer for the United Nations Youth Association. Both organisations pride themselves in helping and serving the less fortunate such as to attain the goal of true equity. These characteristics ring true for Odwa, as he is an avid pursuer of justice. Odwa sustains an ‘open-door’ policy with every student and gives every student his undivided attention. Odwa has always done his level best when fulfilling the duties of his office.

Odwa is overtly interested in Constitutional Law and may be found debunking constitutional rights within the contemporary era. Though not a decolonial scholar, he maintains a controversial stance on the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Outside of this interest, Odwa enjoys a keen interest in International Law and aspires to pursue a career in this field.

Outside of his official capacity, Odwa can always be found having interesting conversations with all law students, ranging from his friends to strangers. He can also be found listening to ‘Gqom’ music and attempting to dance with his two left feet.

"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."

- Theodore Parker

Judge Masilu Moshabela

Masilu Moshabela is a 3rd year LLB student, having completed his Bachelor of Theology in 2018 at the University of Pretoria. He is passionate about social justice and has worked with a variety of groups advocating for a better and healthier society, especially for students and disadvantaged groups. This is a passion he has had since his days in High School where he served as Head Boy and held other leadership positions.

At the University of Pretoria, he has worked collectively with other students advocating for a variety of issues affecting student’s wellbeing. He has served as the first-year guardian of House Theology, Chairperson of UNASA UP, Secretary of ELCSASO UP amongst other organizations and leadership positions. Currently, he is a member of Mandown, a project seeking to push back against GBV on campus and awareness campaigns on mental health.

His passion for social justice extends to giving a voice to those whose voices are silenced, opportunities for those systematically oppressed and working towards a more equitable and fairer society. He also believes in arbitration, conflict resolution and fair adjudication in resolving issues and conflicts between people.

Masilu enjoys reading books and working to improving the lived experiences of the disenfranchised. He also likes sports, in particular, soccer and believes strongly in leading a healthy lifestyle.     

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

- Dr Martin Luther King Jnr

Judge JJ Oosthuizen

JJ Oosthuizen is currently busy with his third year LLB at the University of Pretoria. He has experienced in student leadership and has been at the head of student governance throughout his primary and high school career.

He is a sports fanatic and participates in various sports, ranging from netball to golf, his first love, however, is rugby. He represented the Pumas in high school and captained his first team to the semi-finals of the national ‘Beeld’ championship. He also represented TuksRugby during 2018 and 2019. He regularly participates in sports training clinics to try and nurture the same love he has for sports in the next generation.

Apart from sports he also loves the arts and participated in his school choir who won the national competition in 2014. He loves challenging himself and enjoys tackling new and exciting tasks and learning from the experience.

He has participated in public speaking competitions throughout his school career as well as debates as he loves sharing his views and seeing the world through the eyes of others. He does not often smile but don’t let that fool you, he has a great sense of humour (according to him) and can often be found joking around with friends.

He is passionate about family law as well as how the law affects children throughout our country and continent. In his spare time, you can find him debating with friends and family about most subjects ranging from pineapple on pizza to cats or dogs?

"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength"

- Marcus Aurelius

Judge Jacques Peacock

Jacques is a final-year LL.B student at the University of Pretoria and an Academic Tutor in the Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law. Institutional governance has always been an interest for Jacques, having served as Deputy Head Boy of Helpmekaar Kollege during his matric year, and serving on the Management Committee of a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as Secretary from December 2018 until July 2020.

He believes that University-life forms the foundations of personal development, identity discovery, and the moulding of values, morals and ethics – all the more reason to serve on the Constitutional Tribunal of the University of Pretoria, to protect the rights and interests of students and student structures during these life-changing years.

Jacques brings along extensive experience from his term with the SPCA: in administration, management, policy-making and statutory interpretation. Recently receiving the award of “Mother of the Commune” during his commune’s annual dinner, it is evident that Jacques appreciates order, benevolence, and social cohesion.

Spheres of law that are of interest to Jacques include human rights, animal protection, and administrative law.

“Sometimes it is the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine”

- Alan Turing, The Imitation Game

Judge Israel Shnketa

As of 2021, Israel is a final year LLB student and a sitting judge on the Constitutional Tribunal (Student Court) of the University of Pretoria. She has been in student governance since her high school years and brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge in that area. She has served under various structures in her 3 years of University so far and her proudest achievement was serving under the 2019/2020 Executive Committee for Law House as its Vice-Chairperson. She is also a member of the Golden Key Academic Honour Society.

Her participation in the Second Year Moot League Competition really encouraged and motivated her to look at the law in a more practically. She is particularly interested in issues of Human Rights and hopes to advocate for the rights of those in need. She also has a keen interest in Credit and Insolvency law. She aspires to be the type of lawyer that continuously questions the law and tries to develop and apply it in a way that best serves the people.

When her nose is not buried inside a law textbook, Israel is also a social individual (when she is not sleeping - which she usually is) who likes to enjoy spending her time with her friends. She also has a lot of love for TV series and particularly enjoys them more during test and exam seasons.

"Things didn't work out as planned, but what can you do? You must take life the way it comes to you and make the best out of it."

- Yann Martel

Judge Virthi Tooray

Virthi Tooray is a BCom Law graduate majoring in Financial Accounting and Taxation and will be completing her LLB degree in 2021. She is also a member of the Golden Key Academic Honour Society.

Virthi is passionate about the law and is a tutor at the Department of Jurisprudence. As a confident and diligent individual, she strongly believes that the law has the potential to improve and change lives. She is known for her ability to facilitate difficult conversations around contentious issues respectfully and diligently whilst establishing an environment that demands trust, respect and openness. In 2021 Virthi will be serving her first term on the Constitutional Tribunal as a Judge.

Apart from her academics, she loves playing the piano and has received numerous accolades from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), London. Virthi is an ardent animal-lover and loves spending time with her Great Dane, Lady.

"Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities: it is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak."

- Thomas Carlyle

Judge Natasha Chapman

Natasha is in her third year of BA Law with a focus on criminology, and she is also studying concurrently to attain an LLB degree. She is super enthusiastic and overly excitable. She is a light-hearted individual who values hard work, transparency, dependency and loyalty to her work.

She has held two executive committee positions up in House Humanities and Golden Key, respectively. Evidently, with her work in student leadership, she loves to keep everyone among her motivated with her lively and approachable personality. Suppose she is not running across campus to attend the next meeting, or debating politics and legal philosophy, you are is most likely in front of the Merensky library petting the therapy dogs from Top Dogs therapy dog handlers. 

She has a keen interest in dogs, gardening, reading Pan-African feminist literature, collecting cassette tapes and cooking dishes that do not require a stove, a hob or a microwave. She loves the environment and is a self-proclaimed environmentalist.

Natasha is a retired Judge whose term ended 31 March 2021.

"If you are for the right thing, then you do it without thinking"

- Vivian Baxtor Johnson, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Prof Zozo Dyani-Mhango

(Guardian)

Zozo Dyani-Mhango was born and bred in the Eastern Cape. She is a Professor in the Department of Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria since July 2020. She holds LLB and LLM degrees from the University of the Western Cape, and a Doctor of Juridical Science (LL.D) degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. She is admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. Before joining the University of Pretoria in July 2020, she held academic positions from associate lecturer up to associate professor in the School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand teaching and supervising students in public international law, international criminal law, and constitutional law.

Dyani-Mhango clerked at the Constitutional Court for Justice S. Sandile Ngcobo and was also an intern at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Dyani-Mhango is an established researcher rated by the National Research Foundation.

Her areas of specialisation focus on African Union Law and its right to intervene, its relationship with the International Criminal Court, as well as its member states obligations in international criminal justice. She also focuses on South Africa’s constitutional law with emphasis on constitutional obligations and separation of powers. She is a member of the Law and Society Association (currently a member of its Governance Committee) and the African Society of International Law.

She is a Managing Editor for the South African Chapter – International Association of Women Judges Law Journal to be launched in 2021, a member of the Editorial Committee of the Comparative & International Law Journal of Southern Africa, and of the Editorial Board of the Southern African Public Law. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the African Yearbook of International Humanitarian Law and the African Centre for Transitional Criminal Justice based at UWC’s Faculty of Law. Dyani-Mhango was recognised as one of South Africa’s Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans, 2013.

For leisure, Prof Dyani-Mhango enjoys long lunches with family and friends, and a little shoe shopping here and there. Holidays where there is water are a pure bliss.

“One’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions.”

- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr