Former ConCourt Judge Edwin Cameron New Chancellor of Stellenbosch University

Edwin Cameron, who recently retired from the Constitutional Court of South Africa, has been named the new chancellor of Stellenbosch University.

“I am honoured and humbled to have this chance to serve SU and its communities, and look forward to my new tasks,” Justice Cameron said on Wednesday.

Cameron, an alumnus and recipient of an honorary degree from Stellenbosch, who also studied at Oxford and was a Rhodes Scholar, was elected the 15th chancellor of the institution by its executive committee. He takes over from businessman Johann Rupert on 31 December.

“It is a privilege to have someone of the stature of Judge Edwin Cameron as Chancellor of the University,” said Rector Wim de Villiers. “He is a champion for human rights and boasts a distinguished legal career.”

Messages of congratulations appearing on social media included those from former public protector Thuli Madonsela, who said, “Congratulations Justice Edwin Cameron, a great human being, jurist and quintessential human rights and social justice crusader, on election as Chancellor. An enormous progress move by @StellenboschUni.”

The university said about its new chncellor in a statement, “He has helped develop South African law so as to truly reflect the fundamental values of the Constitution. Moreover, his role in securing the inclusion of sexual orientation as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the Bill of Rights, as well as his advocacy for persons with HIV/Aids, has made him a key player in South African and international law.”

His international impact as top jurist with nearly 200 judgments against his name, acclaimed author and popular speaker is evident from the numerous awards he has received. These range from recognition by the Bar of England and Wales for his contribution to international jurisprudence and the protection of human rights, to the prestigious Grand Prix du Conseil Québécois des Gais et Lesbiennes award bestowed on him in Montreal.