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01 July 2019 | Story Eloise Calitz | Photo Charl Devenish
Justice Molemela and Mr Nikile Ntsababa
Dr Mahube Molemela receives her honorary doctorate certificate from the Registrar, Mr Nikile Ntsababa.
Madam Justice Mahube Betty Molemela obtained her LLB and LLM degrees from the UFS, and a number of postgraduate diplomas from various institutions of higher learning. She also lectured on a part-time basis in the UFS Faculty of Law between 2001 and 2003, and actively supports the annual Kovsie Moot Court Competition.

Highlights of her achievements

Justice Molemela made history when she was appointed as the first female Judge President of the Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa. She is only the second female to be appointed in this capacity in South Africa. During her tenure as Judge President, the highest number of female candidates were invited to act as judges in the Free State Division of the High Court. In 2015, she was appointed for two terms as a judge of the highest court in the country, the Constitutional Court. In 2018, Justice Molemela was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa. 

Community Involvement

Justice Molemela plays an active role in the community – from actively empowering farm workers and upcoming farmers through initiatives of the Free State Rural Development Association, to presentations and training on business enterprises. She also served as  chairperson of the Valuations Court and as provincial board member of Absa Bank. 

Her involvement in the legal profession and legal community includes serving as a councillor for the Free State Law Society and as board member of the Free State School for Legal Practice in the Law Society of South Africa. Justice Molemela also teaches Trial Advocacy under the auspices of the Legal Education Centre Trust. 

Awards and recognitions

In 2009, she received a recognition award from her alma mater, the Albert Moroka High School in Thaba Nchu. In 2015, she received a recognition award from the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges. In 2016, she received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and was appointed Chancellor of the Central University of Technology in the same year. In 2017, she received a Service Excellence Award from the Black Lawyers Association and a Transformation Award from the Black Conveyancers Association. In October 2018, CEO Global identified her as its 2018/19 finalist for the Most Influential Woman in Business and Government for the SADC region. 

“There will always be a need for judges because of social attrition,” says Justice Molemela. “I encourage Law students and young lawyers to consider this career path and to be intentional about their career choice. I think if you approach your career with the knowledge that you intend to be a judge, you will be in a better position to structure your career in a way that ensures that you obtain most of the skills that are needed to become a good judge.”



News Archive

Always good to be honoured at home, says Justice Richard Goldstone
2012-02-06

 

Justice Richard Goldstone received an honorary doctorate from the university on 3 February 2012.
Photo: Duard Grobbelaar

 

Dumela article (pdf document)
Justice Richard Goldstone's - acceptance speech (pdf document)
Mail & Guardian article (pdf document)

The University of the Free State (UFS) is determined to make a success of its academic and human projects, and is not prepared to compromise on standards in the process.

This was the message of Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector, at our universities official opening on Friday 3 February 2012. These projects, said Prof. Jansen, are the foundation of the institution.

The official opening coincided with an honorary doctorate in Law conferred on Justice Richard Goldstone.

The UFS has enrolled the “smartest and most diverse class since 1904,” Prof. Jansen said.
Top learners with six A’s, and more learners from top schools inside and outside South Africa, have made the UFS their university of choice. “We are determined that the best students must study at Kovsies.”

Prof. Jansen also referred to learners in the school system who sit and wait while teachers fight amongst themselves at the education departments. “What are we going to do with those students?” The UFS provides an opportunity for these students to enter higher education with its University Preparation Programme on its South Campus in Bloemfontein. “The fastest growth at our university is on this campus. It is set aside for children who cannot be taken up in the mainstream.”

Some of the students who were part of this programme are doctors, lawyers and teachers today.

“We set a high standard in our academic project to make sure our students are the best available.”

In its Schools Project, the UFS has 23 schools under its wing and the net is broadening. Pass rates in these schools improved dramatically; in some from 13% to 100% in one year.

The human project sets standards for good behaviour. “I was astounded to see how young people get together to find other people as human beings,” Jansen said. “I have enormous hope for this country.

Some of the other projects he mentioned were the provision of more space for students to study, a refocus on the Qwaqwa Campus in the Eastern Free State, the placement of new academics, and agreements with universities abroad on the placement of young scholars.

After receiving his honorary doctorate, Justice Goldstone congratulated the university on the fact that transformation did not lead to standards being compromised.

“The university now takes its place as a leading university on our continent. The leaders of the university can hold their heads up high about their achievements.”

Judge Goldstone, the bearer of 26 honorary doctorates from various countries around the world, said: “It is always good to be honored at home”.

The official opening was attended by staff, students, guests and community leaders.
 
 

Media Release
3 February 2012
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: news@ufs.ac.za
 

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