Parliament, Tuesday 26 March 2024 – The National Assembly today adopted a report recommending the names of six candidates to fill the vacancies for full-time Commissioners of the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). The term of the six existing Commissioners will expire in July 2024. In its report, the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities recommended the names of:
Ms Seeham Samaai
Ms Samaai is the Director of the Women’s Legal Centre – an organisation that advances women’s rights and equality through strategic litigation and advocacy. She holds an LLM (Constitutional Litigation) and BProc from the University of Western Cape and is an admitted attorney with extensive experience in litigation, legal research, alternate dispute resolution, law reform, and advocacy.
Ms Mulalo Grace Nemathaheni
Ms Nemataheni holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from Milpark Business School and a BCom Financial Accounting Degree from the University of Cape Town. She has experience in Financial Planning and has received various awards, among them the Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans in 2021.
Mr Mfundo Nomvungu
Mr Momvungu is employed by the Western Cape government as a monitoring and evaluation officer. He plays an integral part in developing and implementing the monitoring and evaluation framework methodologies and coordinates all internal and external processes.
Ms Yanga Malotana
Ms Malotana is currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science. She has multifaceted experience in project management, communications, academic research, and advocacy. She is also passionate about advancing women’s rights within the broader framework of human rights and democracy.
Mr Kamohelo Rodney Teele
Mr Teele holds a Bachelor of Education Honours from the University of Witwatersrand. He has experience in Inclusive and Special Needs education, policy development in disability rights, strategic leadership, and communications.
Dr Marion Lynn Stevens
Dr Stevens holds a PhD in Gender and Politics from Stellenbosch University. Her areas of expertise include sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender diversity, women’s health, and sexual and reproductive justice. She also has experience in policy analysis, project management, advocacy, and communications.
The Committee also recommended the names of Her Royal Highness Princess Royale Eurika Mogane (of the Mogane Royal Family and Mogane Traditional Council) and Dr Charnell Ruby Naidu as part-time commissioners.
If a vacancy arises due to a resignation or death, the President will be able to choose from the part-time commissioners to fill the vacancy.
In terms of section 187 of the Constitution, the commission is mandated to promote respect for gender equality and protection. It has powers and functions, as regulated by national legislation, to monitor, investigate, research, educate, lobby, advise, and report on issues concerning gender equality.
The names of the commissioners will now be sent to the President.
On the recommendation of Parliament, the President appoints a member to the Commission for a term of office not exceeding five years.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
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