Justice KateO’Regan “It is unarguable that South Africa remains a society deeply scarred by its history. The deep inequalities that persist are visible reminders of the effects of apartheid and colonialism. Until these scars are healed, the vision of our Constitution will not have been achieved.” Justice Kate O’Regan was a practicing attorney representing many …
Justice Yvonne Mokgoro “We are one people, we have been divided in the past. The past injustice must be converted into current and future justice for all of us equally.” Justice Yvonne Mokgoro was an activist during the apartheid era and has dedicated her life to the struggle for democracy. Her commitment to human rights …
Justice Ismail Mahomed “What the Constitution expressly aspires to do is to provide a transition from the grossly unacceptable features of the past to a conspicuously contrasting future founded on the recognition of human rights, democracy, and peaceful co-existence and development opportunities for all South Africans, irrespective of colour, race, class, belief, or sex.” During …
Justice Tholie Madala “In its language, the Constitution accepts that it cannot solve all of our society’s woes overnight, but must go on trying to resolve these problems.” Lawyer and passionate proponent for the rights and welfare of political prisoners, Justice Tholakele (Tholie) Hope Madala was one of the first black judges in South Africa. …
Justice PiusLanga “The foundations have been laid and miraculously so given where we come from. The project of building and developing the South Africa envisaged by the Constitution has only just started. We are discovering the progress will not be as fast as many hoped.” Advocate, lawyer, and judge, Justice Pius Nkonzo Langa appeared in …
Justice Johann Kriegler “We had no rules, we had no principles, we had no background. There was no South African body of constitutional precedent – I was excited to be able to join in actually putting into practice that which we had preached for so long.” A life-long human-rights lawyer, Justice Johann Kriegler headed South …
Justice Richard Goldstone “I didn’t believe that in my time there would be democracy in South Africa, a Constitutional Court that was looked up to by jurists, certainly in the democracies around the world. I didn’t believe that I would be appointed to that Court. Certainly the high point in my career was my appointment …
Justice JohnDidcott “Parliament has the power to pass the statutes it likes, and there is nothing the courts can do about that. The result is law. But that is not always the same as justice. The only way that Parliament can ever make legislation just is by making just legislation.” Lawyer, judge, and one of …
Justice Laurie Ackermann “I don’t think people outside the Court realise just how much work is involved with a collegial Court of eleven, where everybody had to sit if they were available, and how important it was to try and let the Constitution speak through the judges, not the other way around.” Justice Lourens (Laurie) …
Justice Arthur Chaskalson “What each of you does with his or her life is important not only to yourselves but to the whole community. I urge you not to be afraid … To use your energy and skills to help create a new and better society.” Justice Arthur Chaskalson was the first Chief Justice of …
President Mandela gives his State of the Nation address in Parliament. Mandela ends his address with the words, “Let us all get down to work”.
President Nelson Mandela announces his cabinet. It includes members of the African National Congress, National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party.
