Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Namibian Office of the Judiciary has described the late Lady Justice Jennifer Mokgoro, a former South African judge, as a true legal giant who made immense legal contributions to the southern African region, including Namibia.
The executive director of the Office of the Judiciary, Benhardt Kukuri, said on Tuesday that Mokgoro, a retired judge, died on 9 May in Johannesburg, South Africa.
She said that the legal community held Justice Mokgoro in high regard, not just in her native South Africa but also in the Southern African Development Community and globally.
Justice Mokgoro was one of the judges on the first bench of the Constitutional Court of South Africa, and she was the first black woman judge to sit on the bench.
She broke barriers and set precedents during her tenure from 1994 to 2009.
“Post-retirement, Justice Mokgoro continued to garner influence in the legal sphere by serving on notable international and local legal bodies, and she continued her dedication to nurturing the next generation of legal minds through her extensive involvement in education and mentorship programmes,” said Kukuri.
He added that Lady Justice Mokgoro’s service on the Supreme Court Bench from 2016 to 2020 was a privilege for the Namibian Judiciary.
According to Kukuri, her judicial experience and legal expertise were invaluable, and her contribution to Namibian jurisprudence shaped it in ways that will be remembered for generations to come.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the entire bereaved family and all South Africans during this time of loss. As we mourn the loss of an African pioneer, may we find solace in celebrating an extraordinary life well lived and the legacy Justice Mokgoro leaves behind—one of integrity, dedication to the rule of law, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. May the soul of the Honourable Justice Mokgoro rest in eternal peace,” he said.
