PRETORIA – Mourners gathered on Saturday to honour the life and legacy of Justice Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa, justice of the Supreme Court of Appeal, remembered for her intellectual rigour, diligence, independence and unwavering commitment to the administration of justice.

Mokgohloa was honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2, as declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa, in recognition of her distinguished service to the nation and the judiciary over the past 20 years.

She passed away on 20 August at the age of 65 following a long illness while serving as a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, a position she had occupied since June 2019 after serving as deputy judge president of the Limpopo division of the high court. She had also served as acting deputy president of the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2024.

The funeral service took place at 07:30 at the Hillsong Church in Wonderboom, Pretoria, and featured ceremonial elements provided by the police. Mokgohloa was buried in Pretoria.

Ramaphosa directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations until Saturday evening.

“Judge Mokgohloa has left us at the pinnacle of her commitment to the rule of law and the administration of our courts. Her legacy is entrenched in the many landmark judgements she delivered and in her exceptional judicial leadership. May her soul rest in peace,” the president said.

Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, described Mokgohloa’s passing as a profound loss to the judiciary, the legal profession and the people of South Africa.

“The judiciary has lost a valued colleague and an accomplished jurist. Justice Mokgohloa served with dignity, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility to the law. Her passing is a painful loss to all of us who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Her judicial record stands as part of the enduring contribution she made to the development of South African law,” Maya said.

Judicial career path

Mokgohloa started her judicial mentorship at the Northern Cape division, Kimberley high court in 2006, and was later appointed as acting judge in the same court.

She was appointed as a judge of the KwaZulu-Natal division of the high court in November 2008, and later served in the Limpopo division where she was appointed deputy judge president in 2016. During this period, she also served in an acting capacity in the Supreme Court of Appeal, where she gained further experience at the appellate level.

In June 2019, Justice Mokgohloa was appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeal by Ramaphosa, following a recommendation by the Judicial Service Commission. Her appointment was part of an important period of renewal and transformation of the appellate bench.

Her judgements reflected careful engagement with the law, the facts and the constitutional principles that underpin the administration of justice. She participated in cases concerning constitutional and administrative law, traditional leadership, criminal justice, commercial disputes, the enforcement of legal rights and the wide spectrum of legal issues that are routinely adjudicated by the court.

Minister honours legacy of social justice

Minister of justice and constitutional development Mmamoloko Kubayi paid tribute to Mokgohloa, honouring her contribution to the development of South African jurisprudence and the role her judgements played in easing the burden of poverty and inequality for poor and vulnerable communities.

“She dedicated her life to the creation of a just society and for that the country owes her a huge debt of gratitude,” the minister said.

Colleagues, friends and loved ones came together to celebrate her life and reflect on the lasting contribution she made to the judiciary and South African law.

Delivering Mokgohloa’s eulogy, Kubayi highlighted the accomplishments that helped shape South Africa’s young democracy and advance women’s empowerment.

“We are also here to celebrate that the girl child from Pretoria, born in 1961 at the height of apartheid, managed to obtain her B Juris and LLB degrees, and rose to become a judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Her accomplishments are an inspiration to other women and girls, because her brilliance and determination empowered her to traverse the uncharted territory of a male-dominated judiciary as a woman jurist, and she defied the stereotypes.

“Justice Mokgohloa understood that the drafters of the constitution, which this year we are celebrating the 30-year anniversary of its adoption, framed the constitution to be transformative with the aim of creating a new society that is socially just,” the minister said.

Kubayi said Mokgohloa’s judgements showed a deep understanding of social justice: that everyone deserves the same rights, protections and opportunities to succeed, regardless of background.

Family tribute

The family of the late Mokgohloa shared heartfelt tributes, remembering her for the kind and compassionate person she was.

Speaking on behalf of her nieces and nephews, Charlie Mphaphuli reflected on the special moments he shared with his aunt and the memories he will forever cherish.

Kubayi said Mokgohloa’s judgements affirmed that building a culture in which socio-economic rights, including the right to housing and the right to equality, are respected requires unwavering fidelity to the constitution.

The Chief Justice extended her deepest condolences to Mokgohloa’s family, friends, colleagues and all those who worked with her throughout her distinguished career. “At this time of profound grief, the judiciary stands with her family and honours the life and service of a judicial officer who devoted many years to the pursuit of justice,” the Office of the Chief Justice stated.