The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nkatha Murungi as Director of the Centre for Human Rights.
Professor Murungi succeeds Professor Frans Viljoen, whose distinguished leadership over many years was instrumental in establishing the Centre as one of Africa’s leading institutions for human rights education, research, advocacy and capacity development. Following Professor Viljoen’s tenure, the Centre was led by Professor Ebenezer Durojaye as Acting Director. The Centre expresses its sincere appreciation to Professor Durojaye for his dedicated leadership and stewardship during this transitional period, ensuring the continued advancement of the Centre’s mission, strategic priorities and continental engagement.
Professor Murungi’s appointment marks a new chapter in the Centre’s 40-year history and a significant institutional milestone: she is the first woman to serve as Director of the Centre for Human Rights. Building on the strong foundations laid by her predecessors, she assumes leadership at a time when the Centre continues to strengthen its position as a leading institution for human rights education, research, advocacy and capacity development in Africa and beyond.
A distinguished human rights scholar and academic leader, Professor Murungi has devoted her career to advancing the rights of children, women, persons with disabilities and other marginalised and vulnerable groups. Her research, teaching and advocacy have contributed significantly to the development of human rights law and policy in Africa, particularly in the areas of disability rights, children’s rights, and sexual and reproductive rights. Professor Murungi previously served as Assistant Director of the Centre, where she provided strategic oversight of the Centre’s Children’s Rights, Disability Rights and Women’s Rights Units. She also spearheaded two of the Centre’s flagship postgraduate programmes: the LLM in Disability Rights in Africa and the LLM in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa.
Her academic work has been complemented by extensive engagement with regional and international human rights mechanisms. She has served as a member of the Working Group of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child on Children with Disabilities, contributed to the African Union CSO Reference Group on Ending Child Marriage, and participated in numerous regional and global human rights research and policy initiatives. Throughout her career, Professor Murungi has also demonstrated strong leadership in advocacy, partnership development, project management and resource mobilisation, contributing to the Centre’s institutional growth, collaborations and continental impact.
As Director, Professor Murungi will provide strategic leadership to the Centre as it continues to advance excellence in human rights scholarship, nurture the next generation of human rights leaders, and strengthen its engagement with regional and international human rights institutions in pursuit of justice, equality and human dignity.
The Centre for Human Rights warmly congratulates Professor Nkatha Murungi on her appointment and looks forward to this new chapter under her leadership.
