Lawyers for Human Rights appoints Nabeelah Mia as National Director 

Date: 09/02/2026


The Board of Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Nabeelah Mia as its new National Director, effective 1 April 2026.
Nabeelah brings deep institutional knowledge, extensive public interest law experience, and a strong record of strategic leadership within the human rights sector.
She has served on LHR’s Senior Management Team since 2022 in her role as Head of the Penal Reform and Detention Monitoring Programme, and has played a central role in shaping organisational strategy, governance, and external engagement.
Her appointment follows a deliberate succession process and reflects the Board’s 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, Nabeelah Mia has 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 actor in Pan-African and global human rights spaces.
She has regularly deputised for the outgoing National Director and has 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. Her appointment reflects 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, Nabeelah Mia will 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.
Nabeelah 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 also extends its gratitude and deep appreciation to Wayne 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!
9 February 2026
ENDS
For further information or interview requests,
please contact: info@lhr.org.za
Thank you for joining
Thank you for joining the LHR Newsletter, we will be in touch soon