Outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela will be returning to practicing law, as well as channelling her energy towards social activism after her tenure ends in October.

"I'm going back to where I started. To teach and practice law and obviously to be an activist in the area of social justice," Madonsela said after her address at an annual labour law conference in Johannesburg.

"I will be doing research, looking at people, providing ideas to government and other institutions on how they can fast track the arrival towards this constitutional dream where everyone's potential is free and [their] lives improved."

Parliament's ad hoc committee, tasked with finding a new Public Protector, is expected to decide on a candidate to replace Madonsela on Wednesday.

Last week, the committee whittled the 14 remaining candidates down to five. In a relatively short meeting, MPs called for certain candidates to "fall".

Candidates, including Madonsela’s current deputy Kevin Malunga and former National Prosecuting Authority asset forfeiture unit head Willie Hofmeyr, did not make the cut.

The five candidates are Judges Siraj Desai and Sharise Weiner, advocates Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Muvhango Lukhaimane, and Professor Bongani Majola. Whoever receives the most support will be tabled for endorsement in the National Assembly by August 31.