On September 1, 2024, Nelson Mandela University welcomed Judge Nambitha Dambuza as its new Chair of Council. Judge Dambuza, a seasoned South African jurist with over 20 years of experience, currently serves as a judge in the Supreme Court of Appeal. She succeeds Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill, who has served two terms in the role, and steps into this pivotal governance position with a commitment to infuse the principles of justice into her leadership.
Judge Dambuza holds a BProc and LLB from the University of Natal, and an LLM from Tulane University in the United States. Appointed as a judge in the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in 2005, in 2015 she secured a permanent position in the Supreme Court of Appeal, where she has also served as Deputy President and Acting President. Judge Dambuza’s judicial influence includes her role as a convenor of the newly appointed judges' induction programme under the South African Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI), and she chairs the Rules Board for South African courts.
Judge Dambuza’s involvement in education is noteworthy. She is a visiting professor at Rhodes University’s Faculty of Law and has a history of leadership in higher education governance. She previously chaired the Council of Walter Sisulu University, playing a critical role in its turnaround strategy following a period of financial instability.
Judge Nambitha Dambuza brings a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and a strong connection to her Eastern Cape roots to her new role at Nelson Mandela University. She has actively engaged in environmental law initiatives, chairing the African Judicial Network on Environmental Law and serving on the Global Judicial Institute on Environmental Law's board. Her passion for the environment aligns with the university’s values, particularly in its Ocean Sciences programme, which she views as a unique and valuable asset.
Judge Dambuza is focused on upholding the values of Nelson Mandela—integrity, ubuntu, and social justice—while ensuring the university continues to produce graduates who can positively impact society. She emphasises the importance of following one's passion in choosing a career, believing that success comes from doing what one loves and excelling at it.
Vice-Chairperson of Council, Ms Michelle Mbaco is an educator by profession. She taught commercial subjects at a high school in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and later served as an official in the Department of Education where she held various positions.
This was followed by five years of working at the ANC Parliamentary Caucus as a Senior Manager in the Office of the Chief Whip. She currently works as a consultant in the Training and Development sector.
Ms Mbaco is a BComm and MA in Development Studies graduate of Nelson Mandela University. She served as Vice-President of the Nelson Mandela University Alumni Association until September 2022 and is currently serving a second term as a member of the a University's Council.
She is a Trustee on the Board of The Raymond Uren Educational Trust and serves as a member of the Accreditation Committee of the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education, UMALUSI.
A development activist, Ms Mbaco has served in various capacities in several non-governmental organisations.
“As Nelson Mandela University celebrates its 5th year of the change in name from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, it is an honour and humbling to serve as Deputy Chair of Council.”
10 October 2022