Jody Kollapen

Jody Kollapen, "the new chairperson of South Africa’s principal human rights body, has a vision of a country in which human rights empower all people, no matter their station in life.

"Kollapen, who served as the deputy chairperson of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) from 1996, was appointed chairperson in October 2002. His appointment, for a period of seven years, was approved by President Thabo Mbeki. Kollapen succeeds Barney Pityana, the Commission's first chairperson...

"In 1991 Kollapen joined Lawyers for Human Rights, co-ordinating its political prisoner release programme. He has defended political activists in cases like the Sharpeville Six and the Delmas Treason Trial. He was also a member of the panel that selected commissioners to serve on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission." 


 * Chair, Legal Resources Centre
 * Chair, Legal Resources Trust
 * Director, Institute for a Democratic South Africa
 * Trustee in 1998 at least, Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
 * Former Director, Open Society Foundation of South Africa
 * Board of Governors, Centre for Conflict Resolution

Related Sourcewatch

 * Article 19