Justice Edwin Cameron “The law cannot be about injustice. The law cannot be about securing privilege and accumulating wealth only. The law has to be directed to securing justice for all people. That is what the South African Constitution promises and it’s what our history charges us to make real.” Justice Edwin Cameron served as …
Justice Sandile Ngcobo “Open justice is the principle that the doors of all the courts in the nation must be open to the public and the press … It is deeply rooted in African tradition. In African societies, justice was administered in the open in the literal sense of the word. Trials were conducted under …
Justice Zak Yacoob “We thought that law was a dialectical weapon. It was a sort of weapon which could be used either way. It could be used by them, and it could be used by us.” Justice Zakeria Mohammed Yacoob practiced as an advocate during apartheid, while clandestinely assisting the underground movement of the African …
Justice Dikgang Moseneke “Even when I stepped into the robes to become a judge, I have always felt quite strongly that we are entitled to try and recreate society and move from that dark space into a better lit up space and surely improve the lives of people.” A prisoner on Robben Island at the …
Justice Bess Nkabinde “I see myself as somebody who is a servant to the people of this country … I only do what is expected of me, by this country … but I’ll serve them fearlessly, without favour, and when criticism comes, as it normally does, you take it in good spirit, knowing that you …
Justice Johann van der Westhuizen “A sense of humour is very useful when one deals with the stress of human relationships and conflict.” Advocate and professor, Justice Johann Vincent van der Westhuizen was the founding director of the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights and a passionate anti-apartheid proponent. He served as a justice …
Justice Thembile Skweyiya “Ultimately, my message is that we ought to be not only more attentive and receptive to the African voice when we conduct our comparative constitutional interpretation, but also more conscious of our responsibility to strengthen that voice in our judgments from which the rest of the continent and even the world may …
Justice AlbieSachs “We wanted a Constitution that was smiling to the people – but it mustn’t be a sneer smile, or an insincere mask of a smile. The smile must come from inside, that people may believe in it, because it’s authentic. And the smile contains tears, and sadness, and a knowledge of imperfection.” During …
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 …
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.
