Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe

Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe has a stellar record for his participation in and contributions to human rights and the rule of law in South Africa and abroad. As Judge President of the High Court of South Africa, North and South Gauteng High Courts, the Judge heard and decided seminal cases, including business and tax matters, and was responsible for assigning judges to the Tax Courts. He has also acted for a term as a Constitutional Court judge and as Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal.  He was a Judge of the African Union’s African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights from 2006 to 2014, and was Vice-President of the Court when he left.

The Judge has a solid academic background which includes the following: B.Juris (UNIN); LLB (UNISA).  He also received the degrees LLD (h/c UNIN); LLD (h/c UNISA); LLD (h/c UNIVEN). Before assuming his role on the Bench, Judge Ngoepe practised as an attorney until 1983 when he was admitted as an advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa. In 1994, his career reached another zenith when he was appointed Senior Counsel (SC).

Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe has been a member of many landmark democracy-building fora such as the Amnesty Committee of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Court of Military Appeals (Chairperson), the Magistrates Commission (Chairperson), the Judicial Service Commission, the Appeals Panel of the Press Council of South Africa (Chairperson since February 2013 to date), the Appeals Board of the South African Council for Medical Schemes (Chairperson since 2012 to date), Cricket SA Investigative Unit (Chairperson since 2016) and as Chancellor of the University of South Africa since 2000. 

Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe has been awarded the following accolades: Honorary Captain of the South African Navy, Honorary Professor, University of Limpopo, and three honorary Doctor of Laws degrees. He has also received many leadership and human rights awards.