The Constitution enjoins us to strive to improve the quality of life of our people by ensuring that equal emphasis must be given to the rights of citizens and their concomitant duties and obligations. It is therefore critical that we take special and emphatic measures that will entrench the significance of our constitution and the spirit of democracy.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              It is in this context that I assumed my position as the first black woman to chair the SA Board for Sheriffs. We have embarked on a vigorous programme to transform the Sheriffs Profession, which has culminated in the end of our very successful 3 year first phase, facilitated by a National Action Plan. We all know that the period in South Africa, before our first democratic elections in April 1994, was characterised by an economic, social and political order that promoted white privilege and entrenched white baaskap. The Sheriffs Profession itself became a pariah amongst South African institutions and, for many, an instrument of white oppression and coercion to the mirror to an oppressive regime.

For many, transformation of the Profession is nothing more than a process whereby, in the appointment of sheriffs, the composition of South African society, particularly in regard to race and gender, has to be broadly reflected. Others view it as the taking of measures aimed at ensuring that the holders of office are persons that espouse and promote our constitutional values and the rule of Law.
 

 For me, added to these views, transformation is about -

• fostering accountability to state and society
• making civil justice accessible to court users
• changing attitudes / mindsets
• re-engineering of structures, systems and legislation
• assisting in the education and empowerment of communities
• healing the divisions of the past and assisting to establish a society based on fair civil and social justice for all.

Although a great deal has been achieved, the road ahead is still long and bumpy and will require innovation, imagination, diligence and sheer commitment.

The desired success calls not only for the commitment of Sheriffs and the SA Board for Sheriffs, but the commitment of state and other resources, the political will and an abiding faith in the correctness of the ultimate objective.

I wish to thank the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation for generously funding the NAP process. I also wish to applaud the contribution of the Ministry and Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the members of the SA Board for Sheriffs, the dedicated staff of the Office of the SA Board, the Legal Profession, the Judiciary and the extended justice family.

Remember that ours is an unequal society, in which the past is still reflected in the day to day living conditions of the great majority of our people.

Let us serve with dignity, respect and compassion.

I thank you.

Ntombizodwa Nduna
South African Board for Sheriffs
Chairperson 2005