Judith February

Judith February brings a rare but potent combination of legal expertise, democratic advocacy and media analysis to her work. She is an admitted attorney holding BA (Law), LLB, and LLM (Company Law) degrees from the University of Cape Town. After leaving legal practice, she focused on parliamentary oversight, ethics and accountability for more than a decade at the Institute for Democracy in South Africa. She currently serves as the executive officer at Freedom Under Law, a civil society organisation dedicated to promoting the rule of law in southern Africa. As a certified mediator and experienced political analyst, Judith is a credible commentator on legislative changes and major political events.

Judith’s background in both legal practice and democratic development gives her the unique position of breaking down South Africa’s complex political institutions. Her writings and public analysis provide clarity on delicate constitutional matters. Her academic grounding — including a love of Latin, poetry and classical literature — allows her to comment on these matters with a textured, interdisciplinary depth. Judith February is a leading commentator on:

• Democratic Governance & Oversight
• Constitutionalism & Legal Reform
• Political Ethics & Accountability
• South African Politics & Party Funding
• Cultural Life, Literature & Public Discourse

Judith’s work has shaped public perception and understanding of South African democracy and accountability. Her time at Idasa saw her play a key role in the 2005 campaign that sued five major political parties to disclose their sources of funding. It was a landmark moment in the fight for transparency. Her 2018 book Turning and Turning reflected this journey and is a vital contribution to the public discourse and conversations on governance. She has delivered the prestigious Ahmed Kathrada Lecture and was appointed to the interim board of Cricket South Africa in 2021 to help restore integrity to the sport’s administration. Her analysis and insights have informed public opinion during State of the Nation Addresses, ANC conferences and constitutional issues.

Judith is clear, grounded and thoughtful. She is a speaker who combines her legal insight with the right amount of cultural and literary depth. Even when unpacking the intricacies of the Constitution and public ethics, her style is accessible and adaptable. Drawing on her background in law and the humanities, she brings a reflective lens on complex topics. Audiences value her ability to explain South Africa’s modern democratic context in a meaningful and understandable way.