President Cyril Ramaphosa has congratulated Justice Navanethem “Navi” Pillay on winning the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her work promoting peace and international law.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured Pillay as “a person who, with exceptional courage and integrity, has led the way towards a more comprehensive legal order.” The committee said she has been “instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.”

Pillay (85) currently serves as an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice, where she distinguished herself in the genocide case of The Gambia versus Myanmar.

From anti-apartheid lawyer to global jurist

The South African jurist began her career as a pioneering defence attorney for anti-apartheid activists and leadership, including founding president Nelson Mandela.

She served as a judge and president of the Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda from 1995 to 2003, then as a judge of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2008.

After her International Criminal Court tenure, Pillay served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Ramaphosa applauded the recognition as a profound tribute to the veteran jurist’s courage, integrity and lifelong commitment to justice.

“Justice Pillay’s crowning as winner of the Nobel Prize allows us to celebrate the progressive contributions she has made to strengthen peace, uphold human dignity and bring hope in South Africa and to peoples globally,” Ramaphosa said.

“She has served humanity with principle and the belief that the world can and should be a better place.”

Fifth South African winner

The president said the honour reminds South Africa to build a society where every person, whatever their circumstances, can develop their abilities and contribute fully to the nation and the world.

“We are proud that Justice Pillay joins Chief Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, President Mandela and former president FW de Klerk in highlighting the far-reaching impact of South Africans on peace, justice and the advancement of humanity,” Ramaphosa said.

“We congratulate Justice Pillay and wish her well as she continues to participate in various platforms to secure the rights and dignity of all people.”

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