‘A monumental loss of a leading voice’: SA mourns former ConCourt Justice Yvonne Mokgoro

NEWS

The legal fraternity, politicians and ordinary South Africans have shared their condolences and tributes following the passing of former Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro.

Mokgoro, a pioneering member of the first ConCourt bench in democratic South Africa and its first black woman judge, passed away in a Johannesburg hospital on Thursday afternoon. Her death came a year after she was involved in a car accident near Kimberley in the Northern Cape in April last year. During her hospitalisation, she experienced several health setbacks, forcing her to withdraw from public engagements.

In a statement, Mokgoro's family noted that she passed away surrounded by loved ones in the hospital. “Our family and the country at large, has lost a principled servant whose commitment to justice will continue to shape our society,” said her son, Ithateng Mokgoro. 

READ: Former ConCourt Justice Yvonne Mokgoro has died

Mokgoro was a judge of the ConCourt from its inception in 1994 until the end of her 15-year term in 2009. After her retirement from the bench, she continued to play important roles in legal and civil society circles. She chaired the SA Law Reform Commission and served on the benches of both Lesotho and Namibia.

In addition, Mokgoro devoted much time and energy towards nurturing the next generation of lawyers and leaders, both as a board member of the Mandela-Rhodes Trust and through her involvement in teaching around the world. In 2015, she was inducted as a Member of the Order of the Baobab in Bronze for her outstanding contribution in the legal field and administration of justice in South Africa.

‘Justice Mokgoro distinguished herself’

He said in a statement:

READ: Justice Yvonne Mokgoro: Calming the campus storms

“Her insightful and principled counsel lives on in the thousands of legal careers she shaped in the course of her academic endeavours. She has left us under very tragic circumstances and we therefore join the family in their sadness and in their prayers that this beloved mother, patriot, leader and citizen of the globe will rest in peace,” the president added.

‘A monumental loss to legal profession and humanity’

Former Public Protector, Professor Thuli Madonsela, described Mokgoro's passing as a “monumental loss to the legal profession and humanity”.  Taking to X, Madonsela honoured Mokgoro for her leadership by example in the legal sphere, saying she embodied principles of humanity and ubuntu.

Madonsela served as a full-time member of the SA Law Reform Commission.

The US embassy also paid tribute to Mokgoro. The embassy characterised her as “a leading voice within the legal and civil society space”.

“At the US mission to South Africa, we will forever treasure the time and dedication she provided in nurturing the next generation of legal minds through her contribution to the Advancing Women in the Workplace mentorship programme,” it said on X.

'A great woman who gave selflessly'

The Press Council of SA also expressed grief over Mokgoro's passing. She had served as chairperson of its appointments panel.

The council's executive director Latiefa Mobara said they were privileged to have her act as chair of its appointments panel from 2013 until she was forced to withdraw after the car accident.  

Mobara said in a statement:

Here are the other heartfelt condolences from South Africans and various organisations on the passing of Justice Mokgoro: