Biography
Mabel Jansen (born 1958) is a prominent South African judge. Known for her expertise in intellectual property, commercial and constitutional law, she rose to prominence when she was appointed to the Gauteng High Court in 2013. However, her career took an unfortunate turn in 2017 when controversial comments on social media led to her resignation.
In an unfortunate Facebook post, Mabel Jansen made highly controversial comments about rape and race, asserting that rape is a cultural norm for black men and that they take pleasure in assaulting people of all ages. These sweeping generalizations sparked widespread disbelief and outrage, prompting a swift and violent backlash.
The public reaction to Mabel Jansen’s remarks was resounding, calling into question her ability to administer justice fairly and undermining public confidence in the judiciary. Realizing the seriousness of her words and the irreparable damage they had caused, Jansen made the difficult decision to resign from her respected position, acknowledging the erosion of confidence in her ability to administer justice fairly.
South African judge
Mabel Jansen |
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 Mabel Jansen: History ‧ Biography ‧ Photos |
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| Wiki Events & About Data | |
| Full name: | Mabel Jansen |
| Born: | 1958 (66 years old) |
| Place of birth: | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Education: | Stellenbosch University |
| Nationality: | South Africa |
| Height: | 1.56 meters |
| Parents: | Do not have |
| Siblings: | Do not have |
| Couple: | EG Jansen |
| Boyfriend • Partner: | Do not have |
| The children: | Erns Louis Jansen |
| Job: | Lawyer |
| Net worth: | 2 million dollars |
Early life and education
Mabel Jansen, a South African judge, was born in 1958 in Cape Town, a city that shaped her life and worldview. Her childhood was a mix of privilege and adversity, as she grew up in a wealthy family but experienced hardship when her parents divorced at a young age. Raised by a strong and independent mother, she was instilled with the values of education and hard work, which became a testament to the resilience that shaped her.
Growing up in apartheid-era South Africa, Mabel Jansen could not escape the harsh realities of inequality and discrimination. Witnessing the daily struggles faced by her friends and family, she developed a deep understanding of the profound impact that race had on individual lives. These experiences left an indelible mark on her, influencing her views on justice and fueling her commitment to addressing social injustice.
In her personal life, Mabel Jansen’s family consisted of her Dutch father, her South African mother, and her beloved son. Although not much is known about her siblings, her relationship with her immediate family certainly shaped her personality and values.
Mabel Jansen graduates Stellenbosch University with a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in French after pursuing an academic career. Aiming to pursue a career that combined her linguistic talent with her creativity, she ventured into the advertising industry as a copywriter at De Villiers and Schonfeldt. There, she honed her skills and contributed to campaigns for well-known brands such as Rembrandt Group, Wonderbra, Caltex and Dried Fruit Board.
Career
Mabel Jansen, a respected judge from South Africa, has had a remarkable career marked by her expertise in constitutional law, commercial law and intellectual property. However, her judicial journey took a sharp turn in 2017 when she resigned from her seat on the Gauteng High Court amid allegations of racism and sexism. Her appointment to the esteemed role in 2013 initially heralded a promising chapter, but it was ultimately marred by controversy and resignation.
Before her tumultuous tenure on the Supreme Court, Mabel Jansen had achieved some remarkable milestones in the legal field. In 2003, she made history as the first female president of the Pretoria Bar Associationa prominent role which she gracefully assumed over a period of two years. Her competence in intellectual property law earned her recognition and trust, culminating in her appointment as an external examiner for the bar examinations in this specialist area in 2005. Furthermore, Jansen’s commitment to the legal community was evident through her membership on the executive committee and her position as vice-president of the esteemed Council of the General Counsel.
However, the height of her career soon gave way to a dramatic fall into controversy. Accusations of offensive language directed at individuals of African descent and women emerged, exposed through a series of inflammatory Facebook posts. Furthermore, Mabel Jansen became embroiled in controversy when she accused one of her colleagues of sexual harassment. While she vehemently denied the allegations, claiming her innocence, Judicial Service Commission (JSC) issued a harsh judgment, calling her actions “extremely wrong” and showing behavior that tarnished the reputation of the judiciary.
After the JSC recommended her removal, the response from President Jacob Zuma proved to be a puzzling departure from the expected course of action, as no decisive action was taken. However, beset by mounting pressure and with her tarnished image attached to her name, Mabel Jansen made the profound choice to tender her resignation in May of that year.
Social media
- Facebook Name: mabel-jansen
Personal life
Aside from her controversial social media statements, not much is known about Mabel Jansen’s personal life. She has remained out of the public eye since her resignation and has not made any public statements regarding the incident.
Before her resignation, Mabel Jansen served as a judge in the Western Cape High Court for many years. Her comments sparked outrage and raised questions about the impartiality of the judiciary in South Africa. The incident also highlighted the need for greater awareness and education about racial and gender issues in the country.
Mabel Jansen married EG Jansen and they had a son named Erns Louis Jansen.
Net worth
Mabel Jansen has amassed an estimated net worth of $2 million. However, it is certain that her resignation and the controversy surrounding her remarks have had an impact on her finances.
