Deputy Chairperson, the hon member has requested to know whether the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has made an effort to increase the number of women judges and African women in the judicial system. In this regard it is important to point out that judges are appointed by the President following recommendations by the Judicial Service Commission, whilst magistrates are appointed by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development following recommendations by the Magistrates' Commission.
As the hon member is aware, members of the legislature also serve on these statutory bodies. The hon Mr Nick Koornhof is a member of the Judicial Service Commission, whilst the hon Mr Onell de Beer is a member of the Magistrates' Commission. The said hon members would, no doubt, attest to the fact that the need for the judiciary to reflect broadly the race and gender composition of South Africa is an important constitutional imperative that the Judicial Service Commission and the Magistrates' Commission take into account in considering suitable candidates for appointment to the Bench.
Although progress has been made, much more needs to be done in regard to gender representivity on the bench. It is, therefore, essential for women to be given the necessary exposure for appointment to the Bench. In this regard, the department has adopted a policy to ensure that a significant part of state legal work is allocated to previously disadvantaged practitioners and firms. With the assistance of the heads of court we are also increasing the number of females appointed as acting judges and acting magistrates. The training programmes developed by the SA Judicial Education Institute will no doubt further assist in broadening the pool of female candidates for possible appointment to the Bench.
I also include the following facts. There were 42 women judges appointed to the Bench on 1 January 2009. Thereafter the number increased to 65 women by 31 December 2011. During this period some of the women judges retired, passed away, or were appointed to higher positions. The statistics regarding the total number of women judges in South Africa are as follows: As I have indicated, on 1 January 2009 there were 42, and at the end of 2011 there were 65, which is an increase of 23, making a total of over 35%.
In respect of magistrates, 628 women magistrates were appointed to the Bench as at 1 January 2009. Thereafter the number increased to 727 women magistrates at the end of 2011. During that period some of the women magistrates retired, passed away or were appointed to higher positions. The statistics indicate, as I have said, that on 1 January 2009 there were 628, and at the end of December 2011 there were 727 women magistrates, which is an increase of 99. But, in terms of percentage increase, it is a mere 14%. We still have a long way to go in order to ensure that more women magistrates are appointed. Thank you.