Daniel Dlodlo

Daniel Vuminkosi Dlodlo (born 4 April 1952) is a South African retired judge who served in the Supreme Court of Appeal from 2019 to 2022. A former attorney, he joined the bench as a judge of the High Court's Western Cape Division from August 2004 to May 2019. He was also an acting judge in the Constitutional Court in 2018.

Early life and education Dlodlo was born on 4 April 1952 in Nongoma in the former Natal Province. He matriculated at Dlangezwa High School, where he was a prefect, in 1974. The other frontrunner for the judicial vacancy was Geoff Budlender, a prominent white Senior Counsel, and Dlodlo's appointment therefore provoked public debate about demographic transformation and affirmative action in the judiciary. He joined the bench on 1 August 2004.

During his 15 years in the High Court, Dlodlo was an acting judge in the Labour Appeal Court for four terms between 2013 and 2014 and an acting judge in the Supreme Court of Appeal for a total of three terms in 2016 and 2019. His appointment took effect on 1 June 2019.

He retired in 2022 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Personal life He is married to Duduzile Daphney Dlodlo and has two children.