Nabeelah Mia appointed as new national director of Lawyers for Human Rights

LAWYERS for Human Rights (LHR) has announced Nabeelah Mia as its new national director effective April 1.

The LHR's board said as a senior team member since 2022, Mia brough extensive public interest law experience and strategic leadership to the organisation during a critical time for human rights advocacy.

She replaces Wayne Ncube, who is moving to an international role in London, IOL reported.

Mia was the head of the Penal Reform and Detention Monitoring Programme, and had played a central role in shaping organisational strategy, governance, and external engagement.

The board said her appointment followed a deliberate succession process and reflected its commitment to stability, feminist leadership, and organisational transformation at a time of growing pressure on human rights institutions locally and globally.

During her tenure at LHR, Mia had led high-impact litigation, advocacy, and monitoring work across the criminal justice and detention systems, strengthened regional and international partnerships, and positioned LHR as a key factor in Pan-African and global human rights spaces.

She has regularly deputised for the outgoing National Director, Wayne Ncube, and had been closely involved in organisational leadership, financial oversight, and governance matters.

Commenting on the appointment, Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh, chairperson of the Board, said: “The board has full confidence in Nabeelah’s ability to lead Lawyers for Human Rights into its next chapter. She brings a rare combination of institutional memory, strategic clarity, and principled leadership.”

Ramjathan-Keogh added that Mia’s appointment reflected a conscious and considered transition, anchored in LHR’s values as a feminist, people-centred organisation that remains responsive to a rapidly changing human rights landscape.

As national director, Mia would lead the development of LHR’s next multi-year strategic plan, oversee organisational operations and financial sustainability, strengthen donor and stakeholder relationships, and guide the organisation’s national, regional, and international advocacy and litigation work.

“She will be supported by a strong and collaborative senior management team, ensuring continuity and collective leadership during the transition period and beyond. The appointment marks a deliberate leadership transition anchored in feminist, transformative leadership,” the board said.

It extended its gratitude and appreciation to Ncube for his leadership and stewardship of LHR. “While we will miss him and are sad to see him go, we wish him well with his new and exciting path,” the board said.

Ncube will take over as the director of International Programmes at the Business and Human Rights Resources Centre based in London.

He commented that Mia would “be fantastic” in her new position at LHR.

Mia, meanwhile, said it was a deep honour to lead LHR - one of South Africa’s oldest institutions that has steadfastly fought for the dignity of the most marginalised.

“We are entering a global climate where human rights are increasingly under attack, which heightens my commitment to protecting human rights.”

Mia acknowledged the importance of representation. “Stepping into this role as a young woman of colour is a responsibility and joy I embrace deeply.”

She said she was proud to be supported by a team that was committed to ensuring rights were made real for all. Mia expressed her gratitude for Ncube's leadership and commitment to access to justice.

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