Quote of the week
Universal adult suffrage on a common voters roll is one of the foundational values of our entire constitutional order. The achievement of the franchise has historically been important both for the acquisition of the rights of full and effective citizenship by all South Africans regardless of race, and for the accomplishment of an all-embracing nationhood. The universality of the franchise is important not only for nationhood and democracy. The vote of each and every citizen is a badge of dignity and of personhood. Quite literally, it says that everybody counts. In a country of great disparities of wealth and power it declares that whoever we are, whether rich or poor, exalted or disgraced, we all belong to the same democratic South African nation; that our destinies are intertwined in a single interactive polity.
August and Another v Electoral Commission and Others (CCT8/99) [1999] ZACC 3
Appointment of Judge MM Joffe as the Director of the newly established South African Judicial Education Institute
CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA MEDIA STATEMENT
17 FEBRUARY 2010
Appointment of Judge MM Joffe as the Director of the newly established South African Judicial Education Institute Braamfontein
The Council of the South African Judicial Education Institute resolved to appoint the South Gauteng High Court Judge MM Joffe as its first Director who will commence his duties on March 1, 2010. Notwithstanding his secondment, Judge Joffe will complete all judicial matters presently serving before him.
The South African Judicial Education Institute was established by Act 14 of 2008. The purpose of the Institute is to promote the independence, impartiality, dignity, accessibility and effectiveness of the courts by providing judicial education for judicial officers.
In carrying out this function the Institute is primarily directed and controlled by the judiciary. In carrying out its purpose the Institute will provide education and training for aspirant and newly appointed judicial officers. It will further provide on-going legal education and training for experienced judicial officers.
The Act provides for the appointment of a Director who is to be responsible for the general administration of the Institute and who is to manage and direct the activities of the Institute subject to the direction of the Institute’s Council which is responsible for the governance of the Institute. The Chief Justice is the chairperson of the Council and the Deputy Chief Justice is the chairperson of the Executive Committee of Council.
As is evident by his appointment, the Council reposes much confidence in Judge Joffe’s ability in carrying out the functions of Director. The Council extends to Judge Joffe its best wishes and anticipates a rewarding association to the benefit of judicial education and the stature and dignity of the South African Judiciary.
Issued by the Office of the Chief Justice, Sandile Ngcobo Constitutional Court of South Africa Braamfontein, Johannesburg
For more information contact: Phenyo Nonqane Tel: 0123574528 Fax: 0866401359 E-mail: pnonqane@justice.gov.za
