By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@ThulaniMbele.
Retired Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe has been appointed as the new chancellor of the University of Pretoria (UP).
She takes over from Professor Wiseman Nkuhlu, who was inaugurated as the chancellor in March 2007.
UP vice-chancellor and principal professor, Tawana Kupe, said: “We are grateful for Professor Nkuhlu’s outstanding contribution and commitment to the university over the past 15 years. His term as chancellor will expire on 27 June 2022.”
The chairperson of the UP council, Kuseni Dlamini, said: “With four decades of service in the legal field, 12 of them in the Constitutional Court, Justice Khampepe, affectionately known as ‘SK’, is celebrated for her role in strengthening the rule of law in South Africa, her judicial bravery and her firm commitment to justice for everyone.
“She is a jurist of vast intellect, uncompromising integrity, inimitable style, humour, warmth, kindness, humility, grace and quiet strength. In every respect, she is a true ambassador for South Africa.
“She epitomises the values and character that UP requires in its chancellor, and the qualities we seek to develop in our students.”
She has officially retired after a more than 40-year career.
Khampepe, who hails from Soweto, travelled the country and parts of the world seeking education that nurtured her illustrious law experience.