Parliament, Friday, 19 June 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has unanimously adopted its report identifying nine suitable candidates to fill five vacancies to serve as commissioners on the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE).
The committee initiated this process following the Constitutional Court judgment in Corruption Watch (RF) NPC v Speaker of the National Assembly and Others [2025] ZACC 15, which required Parliament to conduct an appointment process and recommend candidates to the President of the Republic in order to make the appointments within 12 months.
The committee advertised the vacancies nationally in all official languages between 7 December 2025 and 1 February 2026. Thereafter, the committee shortlisted 14 candidates who were invited for interviews.
To ensure meaningful public participation, the committee published the names and redacted CVs of the shortlisted candidates on Parliament’s website for 30 days from 13 April to 26 May 2026. The committee received 249 public comments during the public participation process, the majority of which were positive.
The committee then conducted interviews over three days, from 3 to 5 June 2026. Interview candidates were tested on their knowledge, experience and commitment to advancing gender equality; they were also asked about their competencies, including leadership experience, interpersonal skills and integrity. All shortlisted candidates underwent qualification verification and security screening.
The committee agreed to recommend the following nine candidates, in order of preference and ranking, to the President:
1. Ms Leonashia Leigh-Ann van der Merwe
2. Ms Sixolile Delight Ngcobo
3. Ms Chriscentia Caroline Blouws
4. Prof Corné Davis-Buitendag
5. Ms Mamohapi Claurina Diseko
6. Adv Thando Gumede
7. Mr Alfred Ofentse Macheke
8. Adv Nthabiseng Sepanya Mogale
9. Mr Xolisa Yekani
The committee noted the five vacancies to be filled and recommended nine candidates. This is to accommodate any subsequent vacancy that may arise due to resignation or death. The President will be able to choose from the four additional recommended candidates.
The committee further recommended that Ms Leonashia Leigh-Ann van der Merwe be considered for the position of Chairperson of the CGE. The committee also noted the African National Congress’s assertion that this decision must be left to the President to make.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, MS LIEZL VAN DER MERWE.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Yoliswa Landu (Ms)
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za
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