Halima Khanam Saldulker (born 6 February 1957) is a South African judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. She began her judicial career as a judge in the South Gauteng High Court from August 2004 to July 2013, when she was appointed to the Supreme Court. Before that, she practiced as an advocate in Johannesburg between 1988 and 2004.

Halima Saldulker
Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal
Assumed office
1 July 2013
Appointed byJacob Zuma
Judge of the High Court
In office
1 August 2004 – 30 June 2013
Appointed byThabo Mbeki
DivisionGauteng
Personal details
Born (1957-02-06) 6 February 1957 (age 67)
Durban, Natal
Union of South Africa
Alma materUniversity of Durban–Westville

Early life and education

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Saldulker was born on 6 February 1957 in Durban in the former Natal Province (present-day KwaZulu-Natal).[1] She attended Juma Musjid Girls School, neighbouring Durban's Juma Mosque, and matriculated at Durban Indian High School in 1974.[2] Thereafter she attended the University of Durban–Westville, completing a BA in 1977 and an LLB in 1979.[1]

She worked for some time in the insurance sector before qualifying as an attorney.[2] Subsequently, in 1988, she was admitted to the Johannesburg Bar, where she practiced as an advocate for the next 16 years.[1] She was also involved in the General Council of the Bar, which she served as secretary and honorary assistant secretary from 1997 to 2001 and which she represented on the Legal Aid Board from 1998 to 2004.[1]

Judicial career

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In July 2004, on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, President Thabo Mbeki announced Saldulker's appointment to the bench of the Transvaal High Court, later renamed the Gauteng High Court.[3] She joined the bench on 1 August.[4]

She served in the South Gauteng Division for nine years before, on 1 July 2013, she joined the bench of the Supreme Court of Appeal.[5][6] She was appointed by President Jacob Zuma following interviews in which her performance was largely overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the questioning of a fellow contender, Eastern Cape judge Clive Plasket.[7][8][9]

Personal life

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She is married to Goolam Saldulker, with whom she has two daughters and a son.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Saldulker, Halima Khanam". Supreme Court of Appeal. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Names in the news". Advocate. 17 (3): 14. December 2004.
  3. ^ "Mbeki appoints nine judges". News24. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Judge H K Saldulker". Judges Matter. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Names of new judges announced". South African Government News Agency. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  6. ^ "Zuma addresses gender concerns with appointment of new judges". The Mail & Guardian. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  7. ^ Plessis, Charl du (12 April 2013). "Smuts quits JSC, cites 'wasted talent'". Witness. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  8. ^ Tolsi, Niren (12 April 2013). "JSC conflict laid bare by inconsistency". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  9. ^ "Merit must trump race, says judge". Sunday Times. 10 April 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
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