13 January 2025
The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, the Honourable Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed 12 Commissioners who will guide and lead the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of the Cultural Religious and Linguistic Communities which one of the chapter 9 institutions established in terms of Section 181 (1) (c) to support and strengthen constitutional democracy.
Their appointment is effective from 02 January 2025 for a term of five years during which they will execute the mandate of the Commission as enshrined in Section 185 (1) which states that the Commission must:
(a) promote respect for the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities
(b) promote and develop peace, friendship, humanity, tolerance and national unity among cultural, religious and linguistic communities, on the basis of equality, non-discrimination and free association.
(c) recommend the establishment or recognition, in accordance with national legislation of cultural or other council/councils for community/communities in South Africa.
In line with the CRL Rights Act no 19 of 2002, the appointed Commissioners are:
1. Ms Thoko Nonhle Jeanette Mkhwanazi-Xaluva (Chairperson)
2. Mr George Henry Mahlangu (Deputy Chairperson)
3. Dr Tsholofelo Masetshaba Mosala (Commissioner)
4. Mr James Petrus Mapanka (Commissioner)
5. Mrs Doris Tsakane Nkwe (Commissioner)
6. Dr Sylvia Mmamohapi Pheto (Commissioner)
7. Professor Muneer Abduroaf (Commissioner)
8. Advocate Sipho Gideon Mantula (Commissioner)
9. Ms Xolisa Makobonga (Commissioner)
10. Dr Rajendran Thangalevelu Govender (Commissioner)
11. Professor Mokgale Albert Makgopa (Commissioner)
12. Advocate Aubrey KgosiToi Sedupane (Commissioner)
Members of the media will be invited to a session in the near future to engage with the Commissioners as they will outline the challenges they will be addressing as well as the programmes they will implement.
For further information or inquiries, please contact:
Mr Mpiyakhe Mkholo, Senior Manager: Communications & Marketing, 065 592 2752 MpiyakheM@crlcommission.org.za