Eight women have been appointed as judges to serve on various High and Labour Courts by President Jacob Zuma.

The president appointed 12 judges on Thursday to the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North and South Gauteng High Courts and the Labour Court, the Presidency said in a statement.

Of the 12, eight were women.

The judges were appointed on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.

The names of the candidates were sent to the Presidency following a gruelling interview process by a panel, which included Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.

The High Court judges are:

– The Honourable Justice Zamani Mswazi Nhlangulela as Deputy Judge President of the Eastern Cape Local Division of the High Court, Mthatha;

– Martha Mbhele as Judge of the Free State Division of the High Court, Bloemfontein;

– Advocate Celeste Reinders as Judge of the Free State Division of the High Court, Bloemfontein;

– The Honourable Madam Justice Annali Christelle Basson from the Labour Court, as Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria;

– Nelisa Phiwokazi Mali as Judge of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria;

– Advocate Raylene May Keightley as Judge of the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court;

– Lebogang Temperance Modiba as Judge of the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court;

– Thifhelimbu Phanuel Mudau as Judge of the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court; 

– Advocate Willem Hendrik Gabriel van der Linde SC as Judge of the Gauteng Local Division of the High Court;

– Mpho Catherine Mamosebo, Magistrate of Pretoria and Atteridgeville as Judge of the Northern Cape Division of the High Court, Kimberley.

For the labour courts, the president appointed Advocate Christina Prinsloo and Edwin Tshidiso Tlhotlhalemaje on the advice of the commission and National Economic Development and Labour Council.

All appointments are effective from January 1, 2016. News24