By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) have recommended that President Cyril Ramaphosa appoint Judge Thoba Portia Poyo-Dlwati for the position of judge president of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court division.
On Friday, the JSC interviewed Poyo-Dlwati, Acting Judge President Isaac Masondo and Judge Esther Johanna Sophia Steyn for the position.
Poyo-Dlwati,48, who appeared confident throughout her interview, said should she be appointed, she would prioritise the appointment of more women to the bench.
She was appointed as a judge eight years ago and, for the past six months, has been acting as the deputy judge president in the division.
At her interview, she said she was aware of concerns regarding her age. Still, she said that should not be an issue, considering all the leadership roles she had held in the profession.
She said she was a “born leader” and during her six months in the deputy job, she had “led by example”.
“I was visible. I allocated (court) work to myself and I was available to my colleagues. I know the challenges they face.
“I will be inclusive … I will consult but I will make the decisions,” she said.
If Poyo-Dlwati is appointed by Ramaphosa, she will become the first permanent woman judge president in the country.
During the interview of present acting judge president Isaac Madondo, concerns were raised about the fact he would retire in a year.
Madondo also suffered a reputation crisis when in April this year, as the sole contender for the leadership position, he was not recommended for appointment because of alleged “homophobic comments” in a Christian book he self-published.
Meanwhile four people were interviewed for two vacancies on the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg bench, and following deliberations, the JSC decided it would advise the president to appoint advocate Elsje-Marié Bezuidenhout SC and Nontuthuzelo Faith Mlaba.
Meerchand Maharaj and Professor Mbuzeni Johnson Mathenjwa missed out on being appointed.