THE BENCH
Official Newsletter of the Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa
Seventh Edition · October 2026
From the President’s Desk
Congratulations to Newly Appointed Judicial Officers
Mr Neelan Karikan, President of the Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa.
It is a profound privilege, on behalf of the entire Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa, to extend our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations to every colleague who has recently been appointed or selected for appointment to the Bench. These appointments represent a solemn public trust. Each of you has been called to exercise judicial authority with independence, integrity and fidelity to the Constitution. That trust is earned through demonstrated competence, character and a deep commitment to justice. We look forward to welcoming those who have not yet taken the oath. We celebrate all of you – every magistrate, every senior magistrate and every judicial officer whose appointment has recently been confirmed. Your appointment strengthens the lower courts and the administration of justice across the Republic. The people of South Africa look to you for fairness, diligence and the protection of rights. We have every confidence that you will discharge these duties with wisdom and courage. JASA stands with you. We remain steadfast in our commitment to a single, unified judiciary, to fair conditions of service, and to the protection of judicial independence at every level. We wish you every success in the important work that lies ahead. May you serve with humility, courage and an unwavering dedication to the rule of law. We are immensely proud of you. To all who have been appointed: we honour and congratulate you. To every colleague who continues to serve with distinction in the magistrates’ courts of this country: we thank you for your steadfast labour. Together we build a judiciary worthy of the people of South Africa.
Judicial Officers Alliance of South Africa · Upholding Justice, Promoting Equity, Fostering Unity Page 4