I do so as a lawyer and a Motswana who takes much more than a casual interest in matters involving the rule of law and the administration of justice. First, it must be said that it is a matter for great sadness that the erstwhile Chief Justice, Julian Nganunu, has had to leave office by reason of ill-health. His decision is praiseworthy for it can only yield a win-win result for the judiciary, for him and for his family. We hope that he will be able to nurse himself back to health, and we will keep him in our prayers. His place of honour in our estimation he retains.
The elevation of Justice Dibotelo to the office of Chief Justice is eminently earned, and is timely. I do not doubt that I speak for the profession when I say that his is a popular choice amongst lawyers. He has his work cut out for him, and he needs to carry on where former Chief Justice Nganunu left off. He has much to do, of which I will mention only a few. He needs to gather the Judges and the staff of the High Court about him. He needs to work with the Judges, not as their boss and master but as their ranking colleague who, of necessity, must be the first of equals. Together with the Judicial Services Commission he needs to make transparent and accountable the process by which suitable Magistrates and Judges are identified and appointed. On this he should, with sincerity, consult widely amongst all stakeholders, including and particularly with his colleagues and the legal profession, with both of which he would do well to partner.
