By OBAKENG MAJE

The newly-appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP) at the North West High Court in Mahikeng, Advocate Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo is a ‘breath of fresh’ and brings immeasurable experience.

Makhari-Sekhaolelo, who has been acting in the same position since 8 March 2021, was appointed on permanent basis by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 4 March 2022. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the North West, Henry Mamothame said Makhari-Sekhaolelo took over the reign following the resignation of advocate Moipone Noko.

“Makhari-Sekhaolelo, who served as a senior prosecutor, has over 30 years of inestimable experience of relevant prosecutorial and management at the highest levels within the NPA.

“Prior to her acting appointment as DPP by Ramaphosa in March 2021, she occupied a position of Chief Prosecutor at Mmabatho cluster back in 1999. She was bestowed with the responsibility to manage 64 personnel, and oversee 12 magisterial offices within a huge radius of 150Km apart,” Mamothame said.

He further said, at the time Makhari-Sekhaolelo took over the position, the entire division was deemed the worst performer in the country. Mamothame said the cluster and the entire division improved immensely under Makhari-Sekhaolelo tutelage.

“Her leadership qualities and prosecutorial experience brought more improvements. She introduced management levels, set targets and responsibilities within the cluster to maximise efficiency.

“Makhari-Sekhaolelo also introduced tools to recognise excellence within the cluster. Her appointment comes at a time when the performance of the NPA is under serious public scrutiny and requires leaders with a vision and mission to turn things around,” he said.

Makhari-Sekhaolelo obtained her B-Iuris degree from the then University of the North, which is now known as the University of Limpopo back in 1986, Diploma in Human Rights from Lund University, Sweden in 1996, LLB degree in 2013, Masters of Laws (LLM) in 2015 and Doctor of Laws (LLD) in 2021 from the North West University.

She has also been part of various delegations appointed on important fact-finding missions around the world. Makhari-Sekhaolelo was part of a delegation that went to the United States of America (USA) in 1998 to observe how their court systems function.

“She has also been to London on a fact-finding mission aimed at observing their court functionality and their investigation systems in 2013. Makhari-Sekhaolelo was delegated to Germany to share experiences with prosecutors and police in 2021.

“She prides herself with the knowledge she gathered at an International Prosecutor’s Conference in Singapore in 2008. All these accolades have added valuable knowledge to her ability as a leader to contribute immensely in enhancing the work of the NPA,” said Mamothame.

Meanwhile, Makhari-Sekhaole, who was one of candidates shortlisted for the position of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) said, through her interaction with stakeholders at all levels throughout her career path within the employment of the NPA, has earned herself immense respect from all quarters within the criminal justice system.

“It has exposed me to vigorous public interviews, which afforded me a space to introduce myself and my capabilities to South Africans. So, I am fully committed to ensure that our constitution is upheld and justice is served.

“I will also ensure that there is accountability within the establishment. This is intended to couple with initiatives that would improve staff morale, which in turn will inculcate a winning culture and a desire to do more,” she said.

Makhari-Sekhaolelo further said she intends to continue strengthening community participation through continuous engagements that would educate people on how the criminal justice system functions, with focus being on community prosecutions and also expose them to all the services these institutions are mandated to render.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West University Council has appointed Dr Bismark Tyobeka as its new Vice-Chancellor. The NWUC acting chairperson, Bert Sorgdrager said, the university is proud to appoint its alumnus.  

“Dr Tyobeka, who is recognised as one of the leading nuclear power experts in the world, will steer the NWU for the next five years, commencing on 1 June 2022. He follows in the footsteps of Prof Dan Kgwadi, who left the employment of the NWU at the end of January 2022.

“The appointment was confirmed on 17 March 2022 after the council considered an excellent group of applicants. We believe that Dr Tyobeka, a seasoned governance champion, is the ideal candidate to lead the NWU to new successes,” he said.

Sorgdrager further said Tyobeka has had a long and fruitful association with his alma mater, since starting with his studies at the former University of North West in the 90’s. He said Tyobeka was elected fifth chairperson of the NWU Council in 2017 and re-appointed for a second term in November 2020.

“Dr Tyobeka has been a member of the NWU Council since November 2014. As a member of the NWUC, he successfully oversaw the major restructuring of the NWU to a unitary model to accelerate institutional transformation.

“He was also honoured with an NWU Alumni Award of Excellence in 2013, for his personal and career achievements, in particular for his significant contribution to nuclear science across the world,” said Sordrager.

Illustrious career in science

Tyobeka has held the position of CEO of the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa (NNRSA) since 2013, and plays a major role in various initiatives of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Sordrager said despite Tyobeka’s international prominence among others, serving in the IAEA’s International Advisory Committees on Nuclear Safety (INSAG) and being the vice-chairman of the International Nuclear Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF), as well as serving as the vice-chairman of the Forum for Nuclear Regulatory Bodies in Africa (FNRBA), he has not forgotten his roots and retained strong contact with the university and with many of its former students, who now work in various fields including the nuclear power industry in South Africa.

“An avid student and scientist, he obtained the degrees BSc (Ed) (1999) and MSc (2001) at the former University of North West, and in 2004, another master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at Penn State University in the USA,” he said.

In 2005, Tyobeka obtained a master’s degree in project management at the Colorado Technical University in the USA, and in 2007, his PhD in Nuclear Engineering at Penn State University.

Prior to his appointment as CEO of the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa in 2013, Dr Tyobeka was working as a nuclear engineer at the International Atomic Energy Agency in Austria.

From 2002 to 2007, he worked at Penn State University as senior reactor physicist, and from 2000 to 2002 he held the same position at Eskom.

Dr Tyobeka has been author and co-author of several academic articles and has travelled all over the world to present papers at international conferences.

Sorgdrager concluded by congratulating Dr Tyobeka on behalf of Council on his appointment and indicated that, council is looking forward to this new chapter of the NWU’s history being ushered in with him at the helm.

Details regarding Dr Tyobeka’s inauguration as principal and vice-chancellor will be announced soon.

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