In a statement issued on 13 December 2024, the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa announced the appointment of members of the Commission for the Promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) for a period of five years.

Adv Sipho Mantula

Among the appointees is Advocate Sipho Mantula, a researcher at the Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs at Unisa. Mantula was previously a researcher in the CRL Rights Commission. He is an active participant in South Africa’s tapestry of cultural and linguistic community dialogues, including the Rastafari national question.

The CRL Rights Commission is a body established in terms of the South African Constitution of 1996. Section 31 of the constitutional Bill of Rights directs that: "Persons belonging to a cultural, religious or linguistic community may not be denied the right, with other members of that community to enjoy their culture, practice their religion and use their language; and to form, join and maintain cultural, religious and linguistic associations and other organs of civil society."

The commission undertakes its protection and promotion of these rights through proactive and reactive approaches.

As the department responsible for the administration of the CRL Rights Act, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs issued a public notice for nominations of persons for appointment to the Commission for 2024 to 2029.

Nominees were shortlisted and invited to interviews before a selection panel chaired by Professor Itumeleng Mosala submitted recommendations to the President.

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his deep appreciation to outgoing commissioners for their service, and wished the new commission well in promoting and defending the rights of cultural, religious and linguistic communities. 

* Compiled by the Department of Institutional Advancement