Rhodes University has conferred a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on the Chairperson of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture and Chief Justice of South Africa, Judge Raymond Mnyamezeli Zondo.
Chief Justice Zondo was honoured at the university’s graduation ceremony on March 29.
The university also conferred a degree of Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) on its alumnus and Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, Justice Mbuyiseli Russel Madlanga, at its fourth graduation ceremony on March 30.
“To have Rhodes University award me the degree of LLD (honoris causa) in recognition of what it believes is ‘my distinguished career’ and ‘outstanding service to the public and society’ is a great privilege. Rhodes University is a university of great standing, and I regard it as an honour that it has decided to confer such a degree on me,” said Judge Zondo.
Judge Zondo studied B Juris at the University of Zululand, where he studied alongside retired Chief Justice, Mogoeng Mogoeng. He currently serves as the university’s chancellor.
He further obtained his LLB from the University of Natal. Justice Zondo has three LLM degrees from the University of South Africa. These are LLM (cum laude) in Labour Law, LLM in Commercial Law and LLM with specialisation in Patent Law.
He worked at Legal Resources after obtaining his B Juris to secure funding for his LLB.
After completing his LLB, Justice Zondo served part of his articles of clerkship at Mxenge, Ngxiweni, and Shezi Attorneys in Durban. He then ceded his articles of clerkship to Mthembu and Partners, and later finished his articles at Chennels Alberton Attorneys. After his admission as an attorney in 1989, he became a partner at Mathe and Zondo Incorporated. He practised as an attorney for several years.
In March 2011, he was honoured by the KwaZulu-Natal Legal Forum, which consists of several legal bodies, with an award for his contribution to human rights in South Africa.
On September 1, 2012, he was appointed as Judge of the Constitutional Court and on June 1, 2017, Justice Zondo was appointed Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa.
In January 2018, former president Jacob Zuma appointed him as the chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector, including Organs of State.
President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed Justice Zondo as the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa in March 2022.
Rhodes University vice-chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, described Judge Zondo as an exemplary and selfless leader.
“His role as the chairperson of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture will always stand as a monument to exemplary leadership, courage, dedication, and selfless service to our nation. Our nation owes him an inestimable debt of gratitude and appreciation for dedicating his life to public service and the betterment of humanity,” said Professor Mabizela.
