Judges Matter welcomes two new Constitutional Court judges

Judges Matter has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's appointment of two new Constitutional Court judges calling it a major step for women in law.

Ramaphosa named justices Nambitha Dambuza-Mayosi and Katharine Savage to the country’s highest court.

Their appointments make the court one of only four women-majority apex courts in the world.

Justice Dambuza-Mayosi served at the Supreme Court of Appeal since 2015 and includes a stint as acting judge president while Justice Savage has been on the Western Cape high court bench since 2015 and has served on the labour appeal court since 2024.

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Ramaphosa appoints 2 new judges to the ConCourt

Advocacy group Judges Matter said the appointments are highly symbolic noting that in 1994, only two of more than 100 judges in South Africa were women.

The announcement also comes as the country marks the 70th anniversary of the 1956 women's march.

Ramaphosa added that both judges bring decades of service, dedication, and a strong commitment to the constitution.

But Judges Matter also criticised the delay saying the 184-day wait was the longest in the democratic era.

The group’s Mbekezeli Benjamin said that they also remain concerned about the court’s performance.

"Both Justice Dambuza and Justice Savage will add valuable experience to the Constitutional Court. And we hope that it will address our deep concerns about the decline in performance of our apex court. The two justices will officially join the Constitutional Court on the first of next month," said Benjamin.