- Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa) from the University of Fort Hare on 2 October 2026.
- The university is recognising his contribution to constitutionalism, human rights, legal education and public service.
- The award will be his third honorary doctorate and follows the launch of an international moot court competition bearing his name.
The University of Fort Hare is set to honour retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga with an honorary Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa at its Spring Graduation ceremony on 2 October 2026.
This honorary degree acknowledges Justice Madlanga’s remarkable contributions to constitutionalism, human rights, and the development of the law in South Africa and around the world. The award follows the recent launch of the Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga International Moot Court Competition, highlighting his close and ongoing relationship with Fort Hare.
From rural Eastern Cape to the apex court
Justice Madlanga was born in Njijini, about 16km from KwaBhaca in the Eastern Cape. He started his legal journey at the then University of Transkei, earning the Juta Prize as the institution’s top law student in 1981.
He later completed an LLB at Rhodes University, then went on to earn an LLM in Human Rights and Constitutional Law cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in the United States.
After teaching law and practising at the Bar, he was appointed to the High Court in Mthatha at just 34, becoming South Africa’s youngest judge at the time. He later held several senior judicial roles before joining the Constitutional Court as a permanent Justice in 2013.
Justice Madlanga stepped down from the Constitutional Court on 31 July 2025, while serving as Acting Deputy Chief Justice. During his time on the bench, he contributed to landmark judgments on equality, public participation, electoral rights, privacy, parliamentary speech and the protection of vulnerable communities.
A career beyond the Bench
Justice Madlanga’s commitment to public service goes far beyond the courtroom. As senior counsel, he represented South Africa before the International Court of Justice in The Hague in a case about the legal consequences of building a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
He also chaired the Exchange Control Amnesty Unit, which enabled the disclosure of assets worth R68.6 billion, and later served as Chief Evidence Leader at the Marikana Commission of Inquiry.
His influence on legal education is just as impressive. He has lectured and been a visiting professor at universities in South Africa and the United States, including Fort Hare. He was the first editor of the South African Judicial Education Journal, and at Notre Dame, he held the prestigious Clynes Chair for distinguished legal scholars.
A lasting relationship with Fort Hare
Fort Hare further strengthened its bond with Justice Madlanga on 7 August 2026, when its Faculty of Law launched the Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga International Moot Court Competition.
Reflecting on the university’s legacy at the launch, Justice Madlanga said, “Despite that history and the original intent behind its creation, Fort Hare immediately made an impact and became the colossus we all know and see.”
Actor Katurura, Executive Operations Manager in the Registrar’s Office, explained that Justice Madlanga was nominated by members of the university’s convocation. The Honorary Degrees Committee unanimously recommended the award in recognition of his impact on constitutionalism, human rights and the law.
An enduring legacy of public service
After retiring from the Constitutional Court, Justice Madlanga was appointed chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminal syndicates infiltrating the criminal justice system, a role he still holds today.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mzukisi Njotini described him as “a leader of significance” whose work continues to shape South Africa’s constitutional democracy.
“Widely regarded as the intellectual guru of the apex court in South Africa, Justice Madlanga’s time on the bench has left a lasting mark on our constitutional jurisprudence,” Prof Njotini said.
He added, “Justice Madlanga’s impact has never been confined to the courtroom,” and highlighted his roles as a lecturer, visiting professor, and founding Editor-in-Chief of the South African Judicial Education Journal.
The honorary doctorate from Fort Hare will be Justice Madlanga’s third such degree, following similar honours from Walter Sisulu University and Rhodes University.
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