UCT to confer honorary degree on Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke

Constitutional Court Judge, Deputy Chief Justice of South Africa, Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, anti-apartheid activist and former political prisoner Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke is one of seven highly esteemed figures to be awarded an honorary degree at UCT's June or December graduation ceremonies this year.

This nomination recognises Justice Dikgang Moseneke's fearless independence and commitment to justice from a very young age – as an activist, lawyer and judge.

At the age of 15 he was convicted of anti-apartheid crimes and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment on Robben Island. There he completed his schooling as well as a BA and BJuris degrees from UNISA. After his release he completed an LLB and founded his own firm. A decade later he was elevated to senior counsel and played a central role in the drafting of the transitional Constitution of 1993. In the country's first democratic elections in 1994, he was deputy chair of the Independent Electoral Commission. In 2001 he was appointed to the High Court in Pretoria, followed a year later by his appointment to the Constitutional Court. In 2005 he was appointed deputy chief justice.

Moseneke has delivered a number of very important judgments on behalf of the Constitutional Court. He has conducted himself with enormous restraint and courtesy in fulfilling the duties of his office. On the bench, he is described as an eloquent and urbane participant in debates about the maintenance of the rule of law, democratic constitutionalism, and the transformation of South African society in line with the values of the Constitution. He is the living embodiment of those ideals, tolerant and caring in all he does, and an inspiration to many.

Read more about the seven honorary degrees to be awarded in 2015.

Photo of Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke courtesy of Nasdaq23, accessed via Wikimedia Commons.