Late ConCourt Justice Mokgoro described as exceptional, warm and kind
Justice Yvonne Mokgoro Mokgoro (73) died last week after a lengthy illness, and was laid to rest in Johannesburg on Thursday.
South Africa's first black female judge, former Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was laid to rest on 23 May 2024. Picture: X/@OCJ_RSA
JOHANNESBURG - Retired Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro has been remembered as an exceptional jurist with a warm heart and a love for fashion.
Mokgoro died last week after a lengthy illness at 73 and was laid to rest in Johannesburg on Thursday.
Mokgoro, who was South Africa's first black woman judge, was appointed to the bench by the country's first democratically elected president, Nelson Mandela. She served from the Constitutional Court's inception in 1994 until the end of her term in 2009.
Over the last week since her passing, Mokgoro has been hailed for her excellent contribution to law both in South Africa and internationally.
She has also been described as an unapologetic activist for the rights of women and children, championing the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.
At the funeral service, Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya spoke fondly of Mokgoro as a big sister she met while pursuing a Master's degree in the United States in the 80s.
She described Mokgoro as an intelligent woman, who also took her shopping while they were studying abroad.
Many of the mourners have remembered the retired judge as a proud woman, who was also humble and kind.