Professor Thuli (Thulisile) Madonsela is the director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in the Faculty of Law at Stellenbosch University and the Law Trust Research Chair Professor of Law in Social Justice Studies. She is the founder of the Thuma Foundation for Democracy Leadership and Literacy and a member of the African Academy of Sciences. She was recently appointed to the UN Scientific Advisory Board and as Chairperson of Cities Alliance. She also serves on the International Anticorruption Advisory Council and Global Justice Leaders.
The former Public Protector of South Africa and full-time Commissioner in the South African Law Reform Commission, Prof. Madonsela was one of the 11 technical experts who helped draft the South African Constitution. She co-authored laws such as the Equality Act, Employment Equity Act, and Promotion of Administrative Justice Act. She has an extensive background in constitutional, social justice, and administrative law, shaped by her years in public service investigating improper conduct in state affairs.
Prof. Madonsela has written, taught, and presented widely on these topics and on ethical leadership, good governance, and gender mainstreaming. She contributed to international human rights instruments at UN, AU, and SADC levels. She currently teaches Constitutional Law, Social Justice Law, Administrative Law, and Constitutional Governance and Ethical Leadership.
She holds eight honorary law doctorates, two law degrees, a Harvard Advanced Leadership Certificate, and other postgraduate qualifications. Named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2014, she has received over 70 awards including the Rotary’s Paul Harris, Commonwealth Lawyers Truth and Justice, and ACFE Cressy Award.
A mother of two and avid mountaineer, she has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro twice under #Trek4Mandela-#Caring4Girls and hikes for the #Action4Inclusion campaign to end student debt.