After garnering a total of 244 votes in favour and 12 against, the National assembly voted Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka as the new Public Protector. She succeeds ousted former Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

The mention of her name may spark quite the debate but what is really known about South Africa’s newest Public Protector?

 

 
ALSO READ: Kholeka Gcaleka is SA’s new Public Protector

Kholeka Gcaleka at SONA2023
Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka added a pop of colour to the event wearing a gorgeous pink figure hugging dress complete with cape details. She tells TheSouthAfrican.com she bought the dress in Turkey. Image: Storm Simpson.
PUBLIC PROTECTOR KHOLEKA GCALEKA
ORIGINS
Born and raised in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Gcaleka speaks six official South African languages,namely; isiZulu, isiXhosa, English, Afrikaans, Tswana and Sesotho. She matriculated from Little Flower High School in 1998.

ALSO READ: Mkhwebane: I will not seek positions in the EFF

EDUCATION
After high school, Kholeka Gcaleka went on to study Law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, ultimately obtaining her LLB. She currently holds a Master of Law which she got through the University of Johannesburg.

CAREER
According to her resume, Kholeka Gcaleka was admitted as an advocate in November 2003 after which she quickly began building her career through various roles in the state such as Special advisor, Senior Advocate, and Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions with the National Prosecuting Authority from June 2011 to October 2016.

She also remains the Director KhonoConsulting, a consulting firm that seeks to develop solutions to crime prevention

After being appointed Deputy Public Protector in 2020, taking over from Kevin Malunga, Gcaleka served under Busisiwe Mkhwebane. She became Acting Public Protector in October 2022 following Mkhwebane’s suspension.

ALSO READ: ‘Injustice’: Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane to challenge her dismissal

Senior managerial roles are nothing new to the Public Protector who was criticised by DA Member of Parliament, Glynnis Breytenbach as being underqualified for the position.

Kholeka Gcaleka is a member of the Black Lawyers Association. She has served as chairperson of the Society of State Advocates of South Africa as well as an advisor to former Minister Malusi Gigaba during his time as the Minister of Home Affairs and again at the National Treasury.