Trailblazer Justice Yvonne Mokgoro Laid to Rest
South Africa bid farewell to a legal titan, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, the nation’s first Black female Constitutional Court judge.
President Cyril Ramaphosa honored her as “a champion of human rights, an outstanding jurist, and an icon of gender justice” during her Special Official Funeral Category 1.
Pioneering Journey to the Constitutional Court
Mokgoro’s appointment to the Constitutional Court in 1994 was a hard-fought victory, overcoming obstacles of race, class, and gender. Her path was paved by resilience and principled activism.
“Reaching that pinnacle was not a simple progression. It did not come easy,” Ramaphosa stated. “It was the culmination of many years of hard work, formal and self-study, and a rigorous, demanding career.”
Champion for Social Justice and Gender Equality
Mokgoro’s life experiences fueled her passion for social justice and gender equality, reflected in her groundbreaking work on customary law. Her commitment extended beyond South Africa’s borders.
“Between 2016 and 2020, Justice Mokgoro chaired the UN Internal Justice Council,” Ramaphosa said. “After the killing of George Floyd, she was appointed chair of the UN Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law-Enforcement.”
