By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late retired Constitutional Justice Yvonne Mokgoro be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 1.
Mokgoro, who was an esteemed member of the Order of the Baobab, passed away on 9 May 2024 at the age of 73.
She was involved in a car crash near Kimberley in April last year, which led to further health setbacks while in hospital
Mokgoro was one of the first justices appointed to the Constitutional Court when it was established in 1994 and the first black woman judge of the apex court.
The Presidency’s Vincent Magwenya said Mokgoro’s funeral will include elements of military honours.
“In recognition of her distinguished career and contribution to the nation, Ramaphosa has declared, in terms of Chapter 1.3.2(a) of the State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy Manual, that the late justice be accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 1.”
“She was a member of the International Women’s Association (Washington DC), the International Association of Women Judges, the International Federation of Women Lawyers and the South African Women Lawyers Association. In 2006, she was selected as an icon of the history of Women Lawyers in SA,” Magwenya said.
National flags will also fly at half-mast until the day of her funeral.
Mokgoro was remembered by friends, colleagues and family members during a memorial service which took place on Friday at the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund offices in Saxonwold.
Many described her as a leader with great integrity who used her personal and professional life to inspire other women and young people.
Former deputy president, Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, remembered her as a sharp rock who helped shape the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, the Nelson Mandela Rhodes Foundation and other institutions to be where they are today.
“She was a rock. She was sharp and used her sharpness to shape this organisation to where it is today. I am proud of her work and the young women she inspired along the way. She has played her role and played it well, even though we feel there was still more for her to do. For young women and children, she was someone they could look up to,” she said.
Mokgoro’s eldest son, Ithateng Mokgoro, remembered his mother as a woman of strength whose strength was evident in every aspect of her life.
“If laughter, kindness and vulnerability was a strength and what if a smile and gentleness was a strength, nurturing, beauty and fun were a strength. All of these were qualities she possessed,” he said.
Ithateng also recalled the difficult and painful year the family spent with their matriarch following the accident last year.
Mokgoro’s passing followed a prolonged struggle after a severe car accident approximately nine months ago, from which she never fully recovered. She will be laid to rest on Thursday.
She played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s legal landscape. As one of the pioneering black members of the judiciary in the country’s democratic era, Mokgoro exemplified dedication and scholarship.