Biography
Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka (born in 1982) is a South African legal practitioner. She currently serves as an advocate of the high court of South Africa.
The justice portfolio committee of the parliament appointed her to replace Kevin Malunga as the deputy public protector in 2019. She was also an advisor to former minister of home affairs and finance, Malusi Gigaba.
Gcaleka is multi-lingual and speaks six languages. Apart from English, she speaks other official languages like isiZulu, Setswana, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, and Sesotho.
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| Quick Facts | |
| Full Name: | Kholeka Gcaleka |
| Born: | 1982 (age 40 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | KwaZulu-Natal |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Education: | Law |
| Alma mater: | University of KwaZulu-Natal |
| Occupation: | Legal Practitioner |
| Marital Status: | Concealed |
| Position: | Advocate of the high court of South Africa |
| Net Worth: | R15.6 million |
Early Life
Kholeka Gcaleka was born in 1982 in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The advocate grew up between the city of gold and Umzimkhulu in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Her parents raised her and offered her the education they could afford. Her mother was a domestic worker.
In an interview, the deputy public protector revealed that her upbringing affected her values.
Education
Advocate Kholeka’s parents registered her in a primary school in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She attended Ixopo’s Little Flower High School.
After matriculation, she attended the University of KwaZulu-Natal and obtained a Law degree. She studied for an LLM in Commercial Law at the University of Johannesburg.
Career
Gcaleka is a highly-capacitated legal practitioner who has occupied many prominent positions. She was a special advisor and senior state advocate.
Kholeka served as the deputy director of public prosecutions. She is an Admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa.
Before the position, she was the national chairperson of the SA’s Society of State Advocates.
The advocate belongs to the Black Lawyers Association and is a Director at Khonconsulting.
During Malusi Gigaba’s tenure as minister of home affairs and finance, Kholeka was his advisor. She has spent more than fourteen years in the system and has eight years of senior management experience.
CV
Advocate Kholeka has experience in many fields in the legal sector. She has worked in many top positions. Here is her career history.
Former
- Special advisor and senior state advocate.
- Senior deputy director of public prosecutions
- National chairperson of the Society of State Advocates of South Africa
Current
- Member of the Black Lawyers Association
- Admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa
- Director at Khonconsulting to date
Position
Kholeka Gcaleka received an appointment as deputy public protector from eight candidates. Though the selection process was exhausting, the house saw her best fit for the role.
Advocate Adele Barnard nominated her for the role. Her experience in the government and other positions she had served qualified her.
Other shortlisted candidates include:
- Moshoeshoe Toba
- Shadrack Nkuna
- Noxolo Mbangeni
- Lwasi Phumelela Kubukeli
- Puleng Matshelo
Salary
The department of justice and correctional services made a request for the National Assembly’s approval on a salary adjustment for Kholeka Gcaleka, who serves as deputy public protector.
John Jeffery mentioned that the deputy minister, Kholeka Gcaleka gets a lesser pay than her predecessor.
Personal Life
Kholeka Gcaleka has not disclosed her husband and children. She keeps details about her family life off the public eye and in publications.
Some media reports that she is a Christian and also a firm believer in constitutionalism and accountability. She speaks five official South African Languages – English, isiZulu, Setswana, Sesotho, and Afrikaans.
Social Media
Kholeka Gcaleka is has no Instagram account but she has presence on LinkedIn at Kholeka Gcaleka.
Net Worth
Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka has worked in the legal sector for a long time. She has occupied many roles and has received decent pay. She has an estimated net worth of R15.6 million as of September 2022.