Profile of Deputy Public Protector: Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka

Born in Johannesburg and grew up in her hometown of Umzimkhulu, Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka prides herself with her multi-cultural upbringing spread across the provinces of Gauteng, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal which has contributed immensely to her value system and passion for public service, particularly serving in the interest of the poor and marginalized.

Adv. Gcaleka has served as a Special Advisor to the Ministers for the Department of Public Service and Administration; Department of Home Affairs and Department of Finance respectively – with a specific focus in the areas of administration, legal, legislation and policy development, strategy, compliance and governance. Adv. Gcaleka, served on the Committee of Enquiry probing the state of affairs of municipalities across Gauteng. She has also served on various boards.

Even before her appointment as the Deputy Public Protector of the Republic of South Africa, Adv. Gcaleka had already proven herself as an astute lawyer and prosecutor. Having started her career with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as an Aspirant Prosecutor in 2004, her undoubted potential was clear from her continuous development philosophy. She specialized in the area of Gender-based-violence and human-trafficking.

 Her vision is to utilize her legal acumen to enhance good governance, ethical, sound legal and strategic advice and practice. She is an enterprising and astute legal professional with 17 years of legal advisory, senior management and public prosecutions experience combined.

Adv. Gcaleka has a strong acumen in providing litigation and legal advisory services to the Executive, senior government officials, departments and organizations. She has solid strategy formulation, organizational management skills with the unique ability to work with stakeholders in the design and implementation of legal solutions as well as the ability to execute through people.

Over the years, Adv. Gcaleka has contributed immensely to legislation and policy development both at the prosecuting authority and as an Advisor to various government Ministers. She has also in several capacities, contributed to various international work done by the South African government and training across the board.

She is the former first black female National Chairperson of the Society of State Advocates. Adv. Gcaleka holds a LLB Degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a LLM Degree in Commercial Law from the University of Johannesburg.