Tribute to Dr Zonke Majodina
- Lee-Anne Bruce
The Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and the Wits School of Law mourn the loss of Dr Zonke Majodina on 10 July 2024
Dr Zonke Majodina dedicated her life to promoting human rights through her work in psychology and the law. She held a master’s degree from the University of London and a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Cape Town. Having experienced exile in Ghana during the apartheid era, Dr Majodina took a particular interest in the need for support in migrating and returning to countries of origin.
In 1998, Dr Majodina was invited to develop a master’s level programme in forced migration studies at Wits University. This programme later developed into the African Centre for Migration Studies. Thereafter, Dr Majodina was appointed as a part-time commissioner at the South African Human Rights Commission, where she initially worked to extend human rights protections to migrants and later to promoting the right to equality in general. She has also served as chairperson of the Human Rights Institute of South Africa (HURISA) board of directors. Finally, she was elected to serve as an expert at the United Nations Human Rights Committee, which she also chaired for two years.
Dr Majodina was an important part of the CALS and Wits University’s extended family, first joining us as a visiting fellow and then as a member of our board of advisors. Most recently, Dr Majodina consulted and was actively involved in one of CALS’ flagship projects, on the review of the Equality Court system which we undertook in partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission. She brought her vast experience in law and psychology to bear in all the work she undertook.
CALS extends its deepest condolences to Dr Majodina’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time.
Constitution Hill has kindly offered a venue at the Women's Jail (Conference Room) to host Dr Majodina's memorial on Monday, 22 July at 13h00. More details to follow.