Jonas Sibanyoni

Jonas Ben Sibanyoni (born 14 August 1952) is a South African lawyer and politician who has served as a part-time member of the South African Human Rights Commission since January 2017. Before that, he represented the African National Congress (ANC) in the National Assembly from 2004 to 2014, excepting a brief hiatus in mid-2009.

Early life and legal career Born on 14 August 1952, Sibanyoni began his legal career in 1974 as a clerk and interpreter at Witbank Magistrate's Court. He completed a BProc degree from the University of Zululand in 1981 and was admitted as an attorney on 10 July 1984. In the interim, he worked as a radio announcer, producer, and DJ from 1982 to 1984. He established his law practice in Bronkhorstspruit in 1985. In addition, from 1993 to 1995, he lectured law students at Vista University in Mamelodi, where he was director of the legal aid clinic.

In the next general election in 2009, Sibanyoni was not initially re-elected, but he returned shortly into the legislative term, on 23 June 2009, to fill a seat in the Gauteng caucus that had been vacated by Oupa Monareng. He was a member of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development.

Human Rights Commission: 2017–present Sibanyoni stood for re-election to Parliament in the 2014 general election but did not win a seat. and to succeed Thuli Madonsela as Public Protector in 2016. Instead, however, later in 2016, the National Assembly recommended him for appointment to the South African Human Rights Commission. His appointment as a part-time commissioner was formalised by President Jacob Zuma and took effect on 3 January 2017 for a period of seven years.