President Cyril Ramaphosa has made a significant appointment, naming former politician and renowned anti-apartheid activist, Janet Love, as the Electoral Commissioner. This decision comes after the Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs put forth a recommendation for Love to the National Assembly to fill a pivotal vacancy within the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Subsequently, the National Assembly gave its approval, endorsing Love for the esteemed position.
Janet Love’s journey to this appointment is noteworthy. She was among 12 distinguished candidates who were in contention for this role. Her dedication and service to the nation are evident in her previous roles. Love has been associated with the IEC since 2018, where she held the position of Vice Chairperson, showcasing her commitment to ensuring free and fair elections in South Africa.
Tracing back to her early days, Love played a significant role in the fight for freedom as an anti-apartheid activist. Upon her return to South Africa in 1990, she was actively involved in the negotiations for the country’s new constitution and was instrumental in the establishment of the first democratic government. She also served as a Member of Parliament for the ANC during the period from 1994 to 1999. Furthermore, Love was a part of the 22-person Constitutional committee of the Constitutional Assembly, a body responsible for guiding the constitution-making process.
Beyond her political contributions, Love has been a beacon for human rights. As the national director of the Legal Resources Centre since 2006, she has championed public interest and constitutional cases, representing marginalized communities and individuals.
The announcement of her appointment was made official through a tweet by the Presidency of South Africa, which read, “President @CyrilRamaphosa is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Janet Yetta Love as a Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission.”
As Janet Love takes on this new role, the nation looks forward to her contributions to the electoral process, ensuring that the democratic values of South Africa are upheld.
