It’s all system’s go for the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) Nominations Committee, which officially opened its vetting process for nominations for suitable and capable South Africans. The window for nominations will be open for 30 days, commencing 25 November 2014 until midnight on 24 December 2014. This is the first milestone in fulfilling the Committee’s mandate.

The nomination process has central features:

• Nomination categories and documentation requirements

• Nomination and selection criteria

• Nomination vetting procedure

• Nominations submissions and response handling

The committee’s chairperson Abdul Waheed Patel said only one nomination per nominee in one or more of the designated subject matter areas will be considered from the following two categories with the corresponding supporting documentation requirements:

Self – nomination

Individuals who nominate themselves, with the following documentation requirements:

• Personal Nomination Form

• One (1) page motivational letter (1 page)

• CV with three (3) contactable referees

Third party nominations

Individuals who nominate another person, with the consent of the person being nominated,

with the following documentation requirements

• Third party Nomination Form

• Nomination Acceptance Form by the person being nominated

• Third party’s motivational letter (1 page)

• CV with three (3) contactable referees

Only nominations submitted in accordance with the above categories and their associated

processes and procedures, are eligible for consideration.

In accordance with the Terms of Reference for the Nominations Committee, the Committee

upon the conclusion of the nominations window has the discretion to identify through its own

research, suitable and capable prospective nominees in any of the designated subject

matter areas where the requirements of the Committee have not been met.

The members of the Nominations Committee are precluded from being considered for

nomination. Where a relative of any member of the Nominations Committee is nominated, it

is mandatory that the member concerned declares such a conflict of interest and recuses

him/herself from the nominations process concerned.

Nominations criteria

The Nominations Committee will apply the following nominations criteria in the identification,

screening and shortlisting process:

Subject matter expertise

Documented evidence of being a verifiable authority who is or has been active in any of the

particular fields of expertise, which has been achieved and is demonstrated through a

combination of:

• Education, qualifications and training

• Meritorious achievement and accolades

• Depth of knowledge, know-how and best practice

• Experience, history and track record

• Impact, quality and influence of contributions

• Reputation and profile

Governance, supervisory and external advisory / consulting expertise and experience

Current and previous experience in governance, supervisory, fiduciary and advisory through

positions held on boards, councils, panels and reference groups.

Involvement in community development and civic affairs

Demonstrable previous and current involvement in community development and civic affairs

on a voluntary basis and as part of social responsibility.

Nominations vetting procedure

Once received, all nominations will go through a 7-step process:

1. Acknowledgement of receipt

2. Recording and logging

3. Documentation checked and assessed for completeness and correctness

4. Evaluation of nomination against suitability and capability criteria

5. Background check and vetting

6. Shortlisting for personal screening / interview / engagement

7. Recommended if successful

Patel said nominations can be submitted by email, post or hand delivery. All of the procedures are contained and explained in a detailed

official ‘Call for Nominations’ document, which is now available to the public.

The Committee also launched its official website on Tuesday – an online public platform which will provide up to date information and resources related to the functioning and work of the Committee.

The website can be accessed by computer and mobile devices at:

www.nominations-committee.net

“This is a further contribution to the high standards of transparency, credibility, integrity and

professionalism with which we are conducting the nominations process and its interface with

the broader community,” said Patel.

“In conclusion, the Nominations Committee encourages the utilisation of the public platform

and the nominations window, to promote interest and awareness of the nominations process

towards the establishment of an Independent Advisory Panel for the MJC. The Committee calls on the public and media to collaborate and partner with it in deriving the

full benefit of this initiative and process.”