Personal                                                                                

05 November 1958; Herschel, District of Sterkspruit

Wife: Naomi Josephine

Two children

Education

Matric: (1976) Maria Louw High School, Queenstown

BA (Law) degree (1979) University of the Western Cape

LLB degree (1981) Rhodes University

Diploma in Advanced Labour Law (1989), University of Cape Town

Professional

Articles of clerkship with attorney TM Mdlalana: 1982 - 1984

Admitted attorney: 1984

Smith Tabata and Van Heerden Attorneys: 1984 - 1996

Smith Tabata Inc. (Incorporating Barnes & Ross): 1996 - 2007

CEO of Smith Tabata Inc: 2007 - 2010

Various acting appointments (Grahamstown and Bisho High Courts): 1998 - 2010

Appointed as Judge of the High Court, Eastern Cape Division (Grahamstown): July 2010

Acting Judge, Supreme Court of Appeal: 01 October 2021 - 31 March 2022

Acting Judge, Supreme Court of Appeal: 01 April 2024 - 31 May 2024, 01 June - 30 September 2024

Other activities

Secretary of the Eastern Cape Democratic Lawyers Association: 1983 to 1985

Vice-President of NADEL (National): 1989 to 1990

National General Secretary of NADEL: 1990 to 1992

Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Housing Board: 1997 to 1999

National Trustee of the Legal Resources Centre: 1992 to 1996

Trustee of Afesis-Corplan Community Organisation: 1992 – 1997

President of Border Kei Chamber of Commerce: 2007 to 2010

Chairperson of Ministerial Commission of Inquiry into transformation in SA cricket: 2001