Lihle is currently an Associate in the Dispute Resolution practice at Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs. She previously served as a clerk at the Constitutional Court, where she worked under Former Chief Justice Mogoeng, former Deputy Chief Justice Maya (now Chief Justice), Justice Madlanga (then Acting Deputy Chief Justice), and Acting Justice Madondo. In May 2021, she also completed an intensive Advanced Human Rights Course hosted by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, focusing on the judicial enforcement of socio-economic rights in Africa.
Lihle was born and bred in a small town called Tsomo in the Eastern Cape, and obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) (first class) from the Nelson Mandela School of Law at the University of the Fort Hare.

Lihle's introduction to human rights law came in 2019, before her appointment at the Constitutional Court. Drawn to the field, she explored its objectives and came to understand it as an area of law dedicated to advancing basic human rights and amplifying the voices of the marginalised. This inspired a clear sense of purpose — she wanted to help transform socio-economic rights and access to them, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of ordinary citizens, and to foster hope in the promise of the Constitution for the disadvantaged.

The fellowship will support her pursuit of an LLM in International Human Rights Law at Notre Dame. In her own words:
“I am beyond elated to have been awarded the fellowship to pursue a human rights LLM at Notre Dame. I consider myself a great proponent of deliberative democracy and constitutionalism. My passion for human rights turns on achieving social justice through redistributive policies and policies that are centred on addressing inequality and/or status-based disparities such as race, gender and disability. I have no doubt that an LLM from Notre Dame focusing on International Human Rights Law will help me achieve this.”