25 Facts About Thuli Madonsela

Thulisile Nomkhosi "Thuli" Madonsela was born on 28 September 1962 and is a South African advocate and professor of law, holding a chair in social justice at Stellenbosch University since January 2018.

Thuli Madonsela served as the Public Protector of South Africa from 19 October 2009 to 14 October 2016.

Thuli Madonsela attended Evelyn Baring High School in Nhlangano in Swaziland, from where her family originates.

In March 2015, Thuli Madonsela was awarded a Doctor of Laws degree, LL.

Thuli Madonsela has honorary doctorates from Rhodes University and the University of Fort Hare.

Thuli Madonsela was, until 2007, an ordinary member of the Pretoria branch of the African National Congress.

Thuli Madonsela believes that holding political office would not be her "best contribution as a human being".

Thuli Madonsela's spokesperson said she was unaware of the nomination and would not have accepted it.

Thuli Madonsela worked for trade unions and in both the public and private sectors from the 1980s.

Thuli Madonsela was a member of the team who drafted the final constitution of South Africa promulgated by then President Nelson Mandela in 1996.

Thuli Madonsela likens her role as Public Protector to the Venda chief's paternal aunt known as the makhadzi, a non-political figure who "gives the people a voice while giving the traditional leader a conscience".

Thuli Madonsela found that Zuma had benefited unduly from the R246 million the state had spent on the upgrades.

Thuli Madonsela's report has been met with much criticism and opposition from representatives of the ANC ruling party.

Thuli Madonsela wrote a letter to Zuma dated 21 August 2014, stating that his submission to Parliament was not an adequate response to her report and requesting a response to her letter by 4 September 2014.

Thuli Madonsela subsequently held a press conference on 28 August 2014, in which she defended her actions and requested those ANC members interfering with her duties to stop doing so.

The general secretary of ANC Tripartite Alliance partner COSATU Zwelinzima Vavi and general secretary of its largest affiliate NUMSA Irvin Jim subsequently defended Thuli Madonsela and criticised the ANC's response.

Thuli Madonsela is not saying what he is going to do to fix his branch of government.

Thuli Madonsela said she would charge Maphatsoe with contempt if he does not retract his accusations.

Thuli Madonsela's report was a result of the complaint submitted by a Catholic priest, Father Stanslaus Muyebe.

Thuli Madonsela directed the president to appoint a judicial commission of inquiry, headed by a judge named by the chief justice.

In 2018 Thuli Madonsela was awarded Germany's highest individual honour, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, by German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier during his state visit to South Africa.

In 2023, Thuli Madonsela was appointed by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the United Nations' Scientific Advisory Board.

Thuli Madonsela raised her two children, a boy Musawabantu Fidel and a girl, Wenzile Una as a single parent.

Thuli Madonsela's husband died when the children were very young.

In 1980, Thuli Madonsela began her career as an assistant teacher at her former school, Evelyn Baring High School, in Swaziland.