Judge Nambitha Dambuza

Judge Nambitha Dambuza, one of the judges of the Constitutional Court of RSA, is the Chairperson of Council of Nelson Mandela University, the institution’s highest decision-making body.

 

In this role, Judge Dambuza helps guide the University’s strategic direction, safeguards its values and autonomy and ensures that it continues to fulfil its mandate as a public higher education institution. 

 

Beyond her distinguished legal career and leadership responsibilities is a person deeply connected to her roots, driven by a commitment to justice, service and the transformative power of education.

 

A daughter of the Eastern Cape, Judge Dambuza’s life story reflects resilience, determination and a belief in creating opportunities for others. She pursued her legal studies at a time when the profession remained largely inaccessible to Black South Africans, particularly women. Undeterred, she obtained a BProc and LLB from the former University of Natal before furthering her studies with an LLM from Tulane University in the United States.

 

Appointed as a judge in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in 2005, she went on to secure a permanent appointment to the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2015. Over more than two decades on the bench, she has earned widespread respect for her integrity, independence and thoughtful approach to complex legal matters. Her leadership within the judiciary has extended beyond adjudication. She served as Deputy President and Acting President of the Supreme Court of Appeal. In May 2026, Judge Dambuza reached another significant milestone when she was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Constitutional Court of South Africa. The appointment, welcomed with great pride by the Nelson Mandela University community, reflects not only her exceptional legal expertise but also the respect she has earned through decades of principled leadership, humility and dedicated public service.

 

While her achievements in the legal sphere are remarkable, Judge Dambuza’s connection to higher education is equally significant. She is  a visiting professor in the Faculty of Law at Rhodes University and has extensive experience in university governance. Prior to joining Nelson Mandela University as Chairperson of Council in September 2024, she chaired the Council of Walter Sisulu University.

 

What distinguishes Judge Dambuza is the way she combines her professional accomplishment with a strong sense of humanity. Her leadership style reflects a belief that institutions function best when they are guided by fairness, accountability and mutual respect.

 

She is also deeply committed to environmental stewardship. Her work in this field includes chairing the African Judicial Network on Environmental Law and serving on the board of the Global Judicial Institute on Environmental Law. This passion resonates strongly with Nelson Mandela University’s emphasis on sustainability and its globally recognised strengths in ocean and environmental sciences. For Judge Dambuza, protecting the environment is not simply a professional interest but part of a broader responsibility to future generations.

 

At the heart of her leadership philosophy are the values associated with Nelson Mandela himself: integrity, ubuntu, social justice and service. She believes universities have a vital role to play in developing graduates who contribute positively to society and who understand their responsibilities as citizens and leaders.

 

Judge Dambuza is also an advocate for diversity, inclusion and transformation. Throughout her career she has championed opportunities for women and historically marginalised communities, recognising that talent must be nurtured wherever it is found. She frequently encourages young people to pursue careers that align with their passions, believing that fulfilment and excellence go hand-in-hand.