Ronald Lamola has become a globally recognized figure after leading South Africa’s delegation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on December 29, 2023, to press charges against Israeli leaders for alleged war crimes and genocide in Gaza.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born in 1983 in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga province of South Africa, Lamola joined the African National Congress Youth League at the age of 13.
Education and Academic Formation
Lamola earned a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Venda in 2005, followed by practical legal training at the University of South Africa in 2006. He obtained postgraduate certificates in Corporate Law from UNISA, and in Banking Law and Financial Markets, as well as Communications Policy, Regulation, and Management from Wits Business.
He achieved two master’s degrees from the University of Pretoria – his first Master’s in company law explored the regulation of real estate participation schemes, focusing on the role of regulatory bodies in public deposits, company law, banking law, and reserve bank law. His second Master’s degree was in mining law in Africa in 2018, specializing in the teaching of laws governing the extraction of minerals, oil, and gas on the continent, with his research emphasizing corporate social investment in the mining and energy sectors.
Political Experience
Lamola began as a rising star in the ANC Youth League, serving as deputy to Julius Malema. However, in late 2011, Lamola’s membership, along with other party leaders, was suspended over charges of harming the party’s reputation, following their proposal to unify opposition parties in Botswana to initiate systemic change. After this suspension, Lamola disappeared from the public eye for several years.
During his time away from politics, he returned to practicing law and founded his own law firm. In 2012, Lamola urged ANC members to work towards improving the party’s status, supporting former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe to lead the party.
Lamola re-entered politics in 2017 by joining then Deputy President of South Africa David Mabuza to support President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the Nasrec conference, where he was elected to the National Executive Committee as its youngest member. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in 2019.
Case Against Israel
Lamola’s profile rose significantly after he chaired South Africa’s delegation in the lawsuit filed on December 29, 2023, at the ICC, calling for an investigation into Israel’s involvement in war crimes and genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
In the 84-page case file, South Africa stated that Israel failed to prevent genocide and to prosecute those who were openly inciting it.
Lamola emphasized South Africa’s commitment to end ‘the genocide in Gaza through this lawsuit,’ adding that his country “draws strength from the leaders around the world who stand on the right side of history.”
Roles and Responsibilities
- Official in the Govan Mbeki Municipality between March and June 2009.
- Director at the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation in Mpumalanga from July 2009 to January 2011.
- Acting official spokesperson for the Premier of Mpumalanga from January to October 2011.
- Member of the ANC’s National Election Committee during the December 2017 party conference (the youngest member in its history).
- Appointed as Minister of Justice and Correctional Services on May 29, 2019.
- Headed his country’s delegation at the ICC hearings in the case against Israel in December 2023.
