Louisa Zondo

Louisa Zondo is a lawyer and political activist who has held a number of high-profile roles in public life. After studies at the University of Limpopo (BProc), University of KwaZulu-Natal (LLB) and the London School of Economics (LLM), Louisa served as deputy executive director of the Constitutional Assembly during South Africa’s transition from Apartheid, going on to become chief executive of the South Africa Human Rights Commission in 1996. She has subsequently held a number of senior roles in public and non-profit sector organisations, most recently as acting executive director of Oxfam South Africa. Along with other members of her family, Louisa is currently involved in establishing the Riky Rick Foundation in memory of her second son Rikhado Makhado, who died in February 2022. Her memoir, Dearest MaRiky releases in 2023.