Martha Mbhele

Nobulawo Martha Mbhele (born 3 September 1973) is a South African judge who is currently serving as Deputy Judge President of the Free State High Court. She was appointed to the court as a puisne judge in January 2016 and was elevated to the deputy judge presidency in July 2021. Before she joined the bench, she was an attorney in the Free State, both in private practice and for a decade at Legal Aid South Africa.

Early life and education Mbhele was born on 3 September 1973 in Lindley in the former Orange Free State (now the Free State). She attended primarily school on the farm where her parents worked, She was also a part-time lecturer at the Free State Technikon from 1999 to 2002. During her interview, she defended herself against the Free State Bar's complaint that she had only four years' experience in court, arguing that she had been attending court and handling court cases throughout her 19-year career. and President Jacob Zuma confirmed their nominations with effect from 1 January 2016.

While serving in the High Court, Mbhele was an acting judge in the High Court of Lesotho in April 2016 and an acting judge in the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa from 1 December 2023 to 31 March 2024. and she was the coordinator of its Free State provincial branch from 2021 to 2023. both senior to Mbhele on the bench.

The Judicial Service Commission recommended her for the position and President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed her appointment with effect from 1 July 2021. She stood in for Musi as acting Judge President from January to September 2022 and from October to November 2023.

Personal life Mbhele has two children.