Highest Honor for Late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro: Declared Special Official Funeral Category 1

In a fitting tribute to her groundbreaking legacy, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late retired Constitutional Court Justice Yvonne Mokgoro be honored with a Special Official Funeral Category 1, the highest ceremonial recognition bestowed upon distinguished servants of the nation. Justice Mokgoro, an esteemed Member of the Order of the Baobab, passed away on May 9, 2024, at the age of 73, leaving behind a profound impact on South Africa's legal landscape and a trailblazing footprint for women in the judiciary.

Acknowledging her exceptional career and invaluable contributions, President Ramaphosa invoked Chapter 1.3.2(a) of the State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy Manual, granting the late justice the prestigious funeral category reserved for those who have rendered distinguished service to the Republic. This ceremonial honor entails a series of symbolic tributes, including ceremonial elements overseen by the South African National Defense Force, underscoring the nation's profound gratitude for Justice Mokgoro's pioneering spirit and unwavering dedication to justice.

Furthermore, as a mark of respect, the President has decreed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flagstations countrywide, commencing tomorrow, Sunday, May 19, 2024, until the evening of the funeral service on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Justice Mokgoro etched her name into the annals of history as one of the first justices appointed to the Constitutional Court upon its establishment in 1994, shattering glass ceilings as the first Black woman to serve on South Africa's apex court. Her legal brilliance and commitment to equity extended far beyond the courtroom, as she taught numerous law courses at universities across South Africa, the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Her impact transcended borders, with memberships in prestigious organizations such as 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 rightfully celebrated as an icon in the history of Women Lawyers in South Africa.

As the nation prepares to bid farewell to this legal luminary, the Special Official Funeral Category 1 stands as a poignant testament to Justice Mokgoro's enduring legacy and the indelible mark she has left on South Africa's pursuit of justice and equality.