JUDGES CONVERGE IN SOUTH AFRICA TO DISCUSS JUDICIAL COMMUNICATION THORNY ISSUE

From FAUSTINE KAPAMA-Judiciary, Cape Town

Thirty-two Judges and other judicial officers around the world are converging in Cape Town, South Africa to discuss various issues relating to Judicial Communication, Independence, Rule of Law and Public Trust.

The African Judicial Exchange Network Roundtable is being held at Pullman Hotel City Centre here, which has been organized by CEELI Institute.

It was officiated today dated September 15, 2026, by Director of Programes CEELI Institute Marek Svoboda, with Justice Consultant CEELI Institute Monique Kamies providing an overview o the conference.

African Judicial Exchange Network Roundtable bringing participants from Tanzania, Ghana, North Macedonia and Namibia, Uganda, Gambia, The Netherlands, Malawi, Botswana, Kenya, Nigeria, France, Czech Republic, United States of America and the host country, South Africa.

Tanzania is being represented by Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Morogoro Sub-Registry, Hon. Rose Ebrhaim, Senior Resident Magistrate from the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) Lushoto, Hon. Husna Rweikiza and Information Officer from the Judiciary of Tanzania, Faustine Kapama.

According to the schedule provided, Judge Ebrahim will lead a panel to discuss a motion on Regional Perspectives on Judicial Freedom of Speech, under the moderation of Media Officer and Community Relations Manager from the European Court of Human Rights, Ms. Ionna Lachana.

Other Discussants to the motion are Justice Tapiwa Moleele from Botswana, Senior District Judge from United States, Hon. John Tunheim and Judge from Poland, Hon. Grzegorz Borkowski.

During the discussion, the panel will explore the scope and limits of judges’ freedom of expression across different legal and cultural context.

The panel will also examine how various jurisdictions balance judges’ rights to speak on matters of public interest with the need to preserve judicial impartiality, independence and public confidence in the courts.

Drawing on perspectives from Africa as well as United States and Central and Eastern Europe, the discussion will highlight regional differences, emerging challenges and evolving standards.

The panel key focus will be on the building of trust for the Judiciary as a long term effort that becomes critical in moments when the Judiciary comes under pressure.

Likewise, during the three days of the African Judicial Exchange Network Roundtable, which ends September 17, 2026, Hon. Husna will provide intensive details how hybrid judicial communication, adopted by the Judiciary of Tanzania, is all about.

Furthermore, during the session, the participants will also be taken through on the importance of judicial communication, guidelines on judicial communication with the public and media, country perspectives on judicial communication and the role of judicial bodies in building public trust in judges.

Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Morogoro Sub-Registry, Hon. Rose Ebrhaim (above and below) stressing a point during the discussion on Regional Perspectives on Judicial Freedom of Speech at the African Judicial Exchange Network Roundtable being held at Cape Town City in South Africa.

The Director of Programes CEELI Institute Marek Svoboda( above and below) speaking during the opening session. Left is Senior District Judge from United States, Hon. John Tunheim and Justice Consultant CEELI Institute Monique Kamies (right in the picture below).

Judge in Charge of the High Court of Tanzania, Morogoro Sub-Registry, Hon. Rose Ebrhaim (middle in the above picture), Senior Resident Magistrate from the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA) Lushoto, Hon. Husna Rweikiza (the first left in the picture below) following what was going on during the discussion at the African Network Exchange Raoundtable.

Participants to the African Network Exchange Raoundtable (two pictures above and below) following discussions during the session.

Participants to the African Network Exchange Raoundtable from Tanzania (above) and others from the world (below) in memorable pictures after the first day session.