Section 11 Committees are established in terms of section 11 of the South African Human Rights Commission Act 40 of 2013. They bring together individuals with specialised knowledge and expertise to advise and support the Commission in fulfilling its constitutional mandate to promote, protect and monitor the attainment of human rights.

The newly established Committee brings together academics, legal practitioners, education specialists, parents, and civil society representatives to strengthen the Commission’s work on the right to education. It will provide expert advice to Commissioner Madlingozi and the Commission on systemic and emerging challenges in the education sector, identify areas requiring intervention, and support the Commission in advancing equitable access to inclusive, safe and quality education.

The Committee comprises the following members:

1. Ms Zeenat Sujee – Head of the Education Rights Programme, SECTION27
2. Ms Karen Quail – Peace Discipline
3. Prof Mariëtte Reyneke – Associate Professor: Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of the Free State.
4. Ms Noncedo Madubedube – Former General Secretary, Equal Education
5. Prof Lorette Arendse – Associate Professor: Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of Johannesburg.
6. Mr Pheeha Samuel Marokhu – National Chairperson, Universal Association of School Governing Bodies.
7. Ms Michelle Mosupye – Executive Officer, National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA).
8. Prof Siseko Kumalo – Associate Professor: The Ali Mazrui Centre for Higher Education Studies, Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg.
9. Ms Anjuli Maistry – Equal Education Law Centre
10. Ms Lucy Jamieson – Senior Researcher, Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town

Through this Committee, the Commission seeks to deepen collaboration with education stakeholders, strengthen its response to persistent inequalities and systemic challenges, and advance the realisation of the constitutional right to basic education for all learners in South Africa.

ENDS