Chief Registrar - Ms Ruanne David

As we continue to introduce to you the men and women who are entrusted with quasijudicial responsibility in our Superior Courts, this month we get up-close and personal with Ms Ruanne David, the Chief Registrar of the Western Cape Division of the High Court.

WE THE PEOPLE: Tell us your life story.

MS DAVID: I was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal. I have been married for almost 20 years and we have one precious teenage daughter.

I am an admitted attorney who joined the Department of Justice as a Registrar in June 2002 at the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town. In 2005, I started acting as the Chief Registrar and in June 2006, was appointed as such.

My journey with the Department of Justice and now the Office of the Chief Justice has been a learning experience that has taught me that dedication, hard work and patience makes a good public servant.

WE THE PEOPLE: What has been your constant source of inspiration?

MS DAVID: My family, they drive me to achieve more. My dad was a teacher with three daughters. He always told us that we needed to rely on ourselves to survive and not on others. To him education was key and for that I thank him. My dad died at a young age and left my mum to raise us. Her strength and drive to survive gave us the courage to do the same. I also have a daughter who is a cancer survivor, the experience was traumatic for our family but the resilience of a child just makes one live in awe. I can’t forget my husband who is always encouraging me to face my challenges and always has a listening ear, a consoling word and hug when I’m feeling down.

WE THE PEOPLE: What kind of contribution do you want to make at the OCJ?

MS DAVID: I’ve been with the OCJ since its inception. I would like to think that I have contributed in a small way already. My aim is to continue to support the strategic objectives of the OCJ and I endeavour every day to encourage and assist the WC High Court Judiciary and staff to excel where we can. Our objective is and will always be “service delivery”.

WE THE PEOPLE: What are your academic qualifications?

MS DAVID: I obtained a BA(Law) and a postgraduate LLB from the University of Durban-Westville. I also passed my attorney admission exams and was admitted as an attorney in 2001.