Having served on the bench for over 15-years, Justice Mokgoro was critical in navigating the first decade of the Constitutional Court, and instrumental in writing both majority and dissenting opinions in some of the most important cases before the Constitutional Court, including Geldenhuys v NPA in 2008.
Her leadership was evident as the Chairperson of the South African Law Reform Commission for over a decade, and for serving on benches of both Lesotho and Namibia. She exemplified a steadfast dedication to upholding the principles of justice, equality, and human rights. Her dedication to human rights has been a trademark of her life and will serve as a point of reference for the many lives she has touched and impacted.
In her last public appearance as SAWLA's guest speaker on the 01st of April 2023 “Celebrating 100 years of female legal practitioner’s recognition as human beings in the legal profession” under the theme "Celebrating the past to shape the future of women in law". Justice Mokgoro imparted invaluable wisdom saying "Fill up your bag with skills, experience, and expertise, use that bag to swing it and break these glass ceilings. But above all, remain humble; your humility will take you places and open doors."
Her humility, despite her remarkable achievements, remains a testament to her character and serves as a guiding light for all who aspire to follow in her footsteps.
As the Commission, we pledge to honour Justice Mokgoro's legacy and her profound contributions to the jurisprudence of our nation.
ENDS
For further information or inquiries, please contact Wisani Baloyi on 081 016 8308 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission