UJ to confer an honorary doctorate on Justice Sisi Khampepe

Her life and career reflect a steadfast commitment to justice, democracy and ethical leadership in South Africa. From her early work in labour law through to her service on the Constitutional Court and her leadership of key national commissions, she has left an indelible mark on South African public life.

In recognition of her contribution to the legal profession and social justice, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) will confer an honorary doctorate on Justice Sisi Khampepe on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. An honorary doctorate is the highest recognition a university can confer. It acknowledges individuals whose lives and work have made a sustained and meaningful contribution to society.

By honouring Justice Khampepe, UJ affirms her role in shaping South Africa’s democracy. Her contributions, spanning legal reform, social justice, electoral oversight, and mentorship, established her as one of the country’s most principled and courageous jurists. This sends a message to UJ students and graduates that academic excellence is incomplete without civic responsibility, and that talent must be matched by societal values.

Says UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi: “The values that Justice Sisi Khampepe embodies align with those of the University of Johannesburg, including commitment to justice, integrity, community engagement and ethical leadership. Her legacy is one of quiet courage, rigorous integrity and profound empathy, and her work reflects an unwavering belief in the transformative potential of the law and the necessity of justice for building a dignified and inclusive society.”

Adds Prof Mpedi: “Justice Khampepe’s judgments and commissions have shaped constitutional democracy, protected the vulnerable, and deepened public confidence in legal institutions. We are delighted to confer an honorary doctorate on this outstanding individual whose career reflects the values of UJ – ethics, transformation, inclusion, and excellence.”

Justice Khampepe, who was born in Soweto in 1957, obtained an LLM from Harvard Law School in 1982, becoming one of the first Black South African women to graduate from the prestigious institution.

After completing her legal training at Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys, she was admitted as an attorney in 1985 and went on to establish her own law firm, SV Khampepe Attorneys. The firm quickly gained a reputation for defending the rights of workers and representing those excluded from justice under apartheid. During this time, she provided legal representation to black workers, informal traders and unions while playing a pivotal role in advancing equality within South Africa’s labour law system.

Justice Khampepe’s legal acumen and commitment to justice brought her to national prominence when President Nelson Mandela appointed her as a Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995. She was subsequently appointed to serve on the Commission’s Amnesty Committee, where she helped navigate one of the most delicate chapters of South Africa’s democratic transition. Her work in this space required immense integrity, compassion, and legal clarity as the country grappled with the consequences of state violence and systemic oppression. Her contribution to restorative justice during this period was significant, helping to shape the moral foundation of post-apartheid South Africa.

Justice Khampepe also played an active role in monitoring democratic processes across the region. She was appointed by the South African government to observe the 2002 Zimbabwean elections, producing what would become known as the “Khampepe Report” – a document that, though initially withheld from the public, revealed serious electoral irregularities and would go on to inform regional election standards. In 2006, she was selected to join the Commonwealth Observer Group to oversee Uganda’s elections. Her independent, principled analysis in these roles earned her a reputation for rigour and impartiality.

After retiring from the Constitutional Court, Justice Khampepe has continued to serve the public with distinction, chairing the Inquiry into the fire that killed 77 people when the Usindiso building was engulfed in flames, and the TRC Cases Inquiry, which is currently investigating alleged political interference that delayed or prevented the investigation or prosecution of apartheid-era cases referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Says UJ Registrar, Prof Bettine van Vuuren: “Conferrals of honorary doctorates follow a rigorous and deliberate process and are reserved for individuals whose leadership and achievements have reshaped society and global discourse or advanced knowledge beyond traditional academic pathways. Justice Khampepe’s contribution to public life in South Africa is nothing short of exceptional, and we are thrilled to have her amongst the distinguished individuals that we honoured this year.”

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Time: 16h30 (to be seated by 16h00)

Venue: Sanlam Auditorium, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park Kingsway Campus

RSVP: Media interested in attending this conferral during the graduation session are requested to RSVP to Mpiletso Motumi at mmotumi@uj.ac.za by 9 am on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

In addition to Justice Khampepe, the University has already conferred honorary doctorates this year on:

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