Fort Hare honours Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga with honorary doctorate - IOL
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Fort Hare, which has also named an international moot court competition after the retired Constitutional Court judge.
He is currently chairing the national Commission of Inquiry into alleged corruption in the South African Police Services.
Justice Madlanga was celebrated with an Honorary Doctorate of Laws, his third, by Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Mzukisi Njotini.
Njotini said this honour was in recognition for Madlanga's unwavering integrity, dedication to justice and service to humanity - values Fort Hare was built on.
But the degree was not the only honour.
Fort Hare's Faculty of Law recently unveiled a lasting tribute: The Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga International Moot Court Competition, named in his honour while he is still in active service, which is a rare gesture reserved for living legends.
The university said, Madlanga's legal work extended beyond the courtroom to representing South Africa at the International Court of Justice in The Hague and leading evidence in the Marikana Inquiry.
He also chaired the Exchange Control Amnesty Unit that disclosed R68.6 billion in assets including the Marikana Inquiry.
In the ceremony Madlanga also paid tribute to Fort Hare, saying: "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."
"It's a huge honour and I'm touched, but I also prefer it to not be all about me but about the mooters themselves." Madlanga added.
Meanwhile, for students arguing under his name, the meaning is personal.
The university's 3rd year LLB student Christian Buthelezi speaking with the dailynews.co.za said, "It Is an hour to participate in moot competition which is associated with Justice Madlanga, someone of high caliber who has contributed immensely in the legal fraternity and continues to do at the moment through the Commission.
"He is known and associated with excellency, integrity and Constitutional transformation."
"Arguing in the moot competition in his honour really helps to carry forward his legacy of fighting for justice and being fearless in executing his duties. It is also a reminder that the sky is the limit," said Buthelezi.
The honour recognises a journey that began 16km outside Mount Frere, in the village of Njijini in KwaBhaca. From there to the front lines of accountability.
Born and raised in Njijini, Justice Madlanga has built a career spanning legal education, human rights law and South Africa’s highest court on constitutional matters.
He pursued a BJuris degree at the University of Transkei and went on to study for an LLB at Rhodes University.
His early career included lecturing at the University of Transkei and an internship at Amnesty International’s Washington, DC.
At the age of 34, Madlanga was appointed a judge of the Mthatha High Court, making him the youngest in history. He held judicial positions at the Supreme Court of Appeal and then appointed to the Constitutional Court in 2013.
His work has extended beyond the courtroom.
In 2025, following his retirement from the Constitutional Court, Madlanga took on another public responsibility when he was appointed to chair the Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System.
The inquiry is tasked with examining allegations of criminal syndicates in SAPS , as well as claims of political interference. Its work includes making recommendations and referring matters for further investigations. The inquiry’s findings and recommendations will be important in determining what further actions should be taken by the relevant authorities.
