On 9 October 2024, the Rivonia Group of Advocates was privileged to welcome the Labour and Labour Appeal Courts’ Acting Deputy Judge President and Judge of the Western Cape High Court, Kate Savage, for the Group’s weekly social tea.

Sarah Saunders welcomed DJP Savage on behalf of the Group and thanked her for taking the time to join us on her way back to the Western Cape after participating in the JSC interview of AJP Edwin Molahlehi the day before. He was unfortunately unable to join the Group at tea to celebrate his appointment as Judge President of the Labour and Labour Appeal Courts.

Group leader, Christopher Whitcutt, confirmed the Group’s commitment to supporting the Bench of the Labour and Labour Appeal Courts (with Johannesburg being the busiest seat of the Labour Court in South Africa). He also acknowledged the efforts of members Sarah Saunders, Sarajulie Swartz and Mairéad Edwards, as part of the JSA’s labour court subcommittee, in training junior members of the JSA in labour matters, including on the new rules of these courts and on practising in these courts.
He made special mention of the project set up by the committee and run by Saunders to facilitate the appointment of acting judges to address the Labour Court’s enormous case load. He also specifically thanked them for their efforts in mentoring the juniors of the Group.

Judge Savage is pictured here with several of the Group’s members who attended the tea and enjoyed interacting with her in a less intimidating setting (from left to right): Esbie Venter, Nerisha Naidoo, Christopher Whitcutt SC, Claire De Witt, Sarah Saunders, Sarajulie Swartz, Gabriel Cross, Mafungwase Mahlangu, Tsundzukani Malungani, Petra Van Niekerk, Andrew Snider SC and Mairéad Edwards.