The soft-spoken Madonsela is known for investigating President Jacob Zuma, amongst other high profile cases she’s pursuing.
She found that some of the $23 million of taxpayers’ money spent on “security upgrades” to Zuma’s private home were “unlawful” and she ordered the president to repay part of the sum, something which has ruffled the feathers within the ruling party.
Some even questioned her loyalty to organization.
Time magazine honoured her “extraordinary courage and patriotism” in confronting corruption.
The ombudsman said she was “taken by surprise that the modest efforts of her office were not only being recognised at home but elsewhere in the world too,” according to a statement on Twitter.
Madonsela added that she hoped her exposure would “put the public protector or the ombudsman institution on the world map” to increase its potential as guarantor of good governance.
Despite being unpopular with those her office is investigating Madonsela’s reputation remains intact.
Former Pres FW De Klerk says Madonsela’s role must be respected.
