#Womandla: Celebrating Professor Thuli Madonsela

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ESTABLISHED AFRICA
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This #Womandla Month we remember the 20,000 women who took a stand and marched to the Union Building on the 9thof August 1956 for their basic human rights. Furthermore, we also celebrate the bravery that the women of today have as they carry the torch handed to them. Women who have defied the odds and in so doing have created the path for many young women and the children of today as they continue to fight the ‘good fight.’

This #Womandla month we will be celebrating numerous African women, first of which is Professor Thulisile Nomkhosi Madonsela.

Image via THUMA foundation

Former South African Public Protect and the current Chair of the Social Justice Department at the University of Stellenbosch, Professor Thulisile Nomkhosi Madonsela, from the historical township of Soweto has been making head-waves in the South African socio-economic and political science for years now.

Born during the tough political times of Apartheid, in Soweto, Professor Madonsela was determined to make a difference in the world through education. She obtained a Bachelor of Law at the University of Swaziland in 1967, then an LLB at Witwatersrand University.

Her passion for human rights, democracy, leadership, peace and justice has had a powerful and impactful effect on the people and leadership of South Africa. She was one of the drafters of the South African Constitution in 1994, which is regarded as one of the most progressive constitutions in the world today. Furthermore, she was also a co-architect of several other laws that have enriched and pushed for equality and peace amongst the South African people. These include the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act and the Employment Equality Act.

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed by the world. She was included in Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2014, and Forbes Africa Person of Year back in 2016. Her efforts have been acknowledged with honorary Doctor of Law degrees from six of South Africa’s top Universities.

With a heart to serve no matter her political, social or economic position, she founded the Thuma Foundation, which aims to develop leadership, democracy and peace. This while being a full-time Commissioner in South African Law Reform Commission and co-founder of the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA). As a role model to thousands of young women we continue to celebrate her and her efforts to better the lives of millions of South African’s and women through education and leadership.

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