President Jacob Zuma has appointed Professor Bongani Majola as the chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission.
Majola has been appointed to the commission for a period of seven years, from January, after he was recommended for the post by Parliament's justice committee.
This comes three months after the advocate applied, and was shortlisted for, the Public Protector position.
He lost out when all parties, with the exception of the Democratic Alliance, opted for Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Majola was appointed along with six other commissioners, the Presidency said in a statement on Friday.
Devikarani Jana has been appointed as the deputy chairperson of the commission, while Andrew Gaum, Matlhodi Makwetla, and Advocate Joseph Malatji were appointed full time.
Andrew Nissen and Jonas Sibanyoni were appointed as part-time commissioners.
"President Zuma wishes the new commissioners all the best in their new important responsibility of entrenching constitutional democracy through advocating and protecting the basic human rights of all South Africans. The president also wishes the outgoing commissioners all the best in their future endeavours."