FORT HARE AND NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY TO HOST A JOINT COLLOQUIUM IN HONOUR OF THE LATE JUSTICE YVONNE MOKGORO

In recognition of her profound impact on South Africa’s legal landscape and commitment to justice, the University of Fort Hare, in partnership with the North-West University, will host a colloquium in honour of the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro.

Themed: “An Academic and a Judge: Essays in Honour of the Late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro” the gathering is scheduled for October 24-25, 2024, at the North-West University’s Mahikeng campus. A call for papers has been issued for this colloquium, aimed at celebrating the legacy of this legal eagle.

Justice Mokgoro, a trailblazer as one of the first female Justices appointed to the Constitutional Court of South Africa, devoted her career to advancing human dignity and equality through the law.

Born in Galeshewe Township and educated at the University of Bophuthatswana (now part of the North-West University), she exemplified unwavering dedication to justice, academia, and the integration of African values into the legal framework.

Her sense of justice and the infusion of African values into South Africa’s legal system is illustrated in the well-celebrated judgment of S v Makwanyane and Another 1995 (6) BCLR 665 and her scholarly work titled “‘Ubuntu and the law’ in South Africa’,1998 (4) Buffalo Human Rights Law Review 115 - 117” continues to be one of the topical issues in academic discussions and courts.

The colloquium invites scholars, practitioners, and students to submit abstracts focusing on various aspects of law and justice, including gender equality, ubuntu and the law, socio-economic rights, and the rule of law. Abstracts should not exceed 300 words and must be submitted by email for consideration.

Selected contributions will undergo a rigorous peer review process for potential publication in the prestigious Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal (PER). This opportunity highlights the event’s goal to foster scholarly discourse and honor Justice Mokgoro’s enduring influence on legal education and practice.

The discussion will primarily be organized for in-person attendance. The abstracts, written in Arial 12 font and not exceeding 300 words, must be submitted to UFH Law Prof and Director of the UNESCO Oliver Tambo Chair of Human Rights, Prof Moses Retselisitsoe Phooko mphooko@ufh.ac.za with a copy to howard.chitimira@nwu.ac.za. These must indicate the title of the paper, the topic covered, the full name(s) and title(s) of the author(s), author emails, and their institutional affiliation(s).

This discussion promises to be a crucial moment for reflection and engagement, commemorating Justice Yvonne Mokgoro’s indelible contributions to jurisprudence and societal transformation.