After 12 years of overseeing thousands of determinations that put back millions of rands into the hands of aggrieved retirement funds beneficiaries, Pension Funds Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane will conclude a remarkable journey of service.

Lukhaimane took over as South Africa’s fifth Pension Funds Adjudicator on 1 July 2013 and developed the tribunal into a formidable dispute resolution body, renowned for its efficiency, impartiality, and jurisprudential integrity in adjudicating complex pension-related matters. She will leave the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator at the end of the year.

She served as Deputy Pension Funds Adjudicator since 1 June 2012, during which time she kept her promise to eliminate the backlog of complaints going as far back as 2007.

Possessed with a wealth of experience as a seasoned lawyer who had also been employed within the pension funds industry and public sector as a senior manager, she brought to her appointment as Pension Funds Adjudicator the skills acquired throughout her working life.

She obtained a B.Iuris degree from the University of Venda and LLB degree from the University of Pretoria. Through part-time studies she obtained the Master of Laws degree, with emphasis on human rights law, constitutional interpretation, labour law and medical jurisprudence. Ms Lukhaimane also obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of Free State and completed an MBA through Wits Business School.

During her tenure as Pension Funds Adjudicator, she worked hard at improving stakeholder interaction so that the dispute resolution forum became more visible to the public. She always maintained that pension funds played an important role in the national economy.

“Pension funds, smartly invested, provide a mechanism for unlocking savings, stimulating economic growth and ensuring that pensioners are provided for in retirement.

“By regulating them appropriately, the elderly can be protected against poverty, investment can be facilitated and systemic risk reduced, she said.

Lukhaimane said she was leaving as Pension Funds Adjudicator with immense gratitude and pride in what the office has been able to achieve, from good governance to efficient, timeous service delivery.

“It has been an extra-ordinary privilege to serve in this role - championing fairness, promoting accountability, and striving to protect the rights and dignity of retirement fund members. Over the years, I have witnessed the retirement fund system evolve and I have had the honour of being in the midst of implementing key legislative reforms. I am encouraged by the collective progress we have made and appreciate that there is still more to be done.

“I wish to take this opportunity to thank the dedicated teams I have had the privilege of working with, the various stakeholders who supported our mandate, and the public who entrusted us with their queries.

“As I step off at my station, I remain confident in the capacity, integrity, and the continued role of the office in protecting consumers,” said Lukhaimane.

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