NEWS - AFRICA
| 2013-07-25Pioneer South African chief justice dies
Pius Nkonzo Langa
JOHANNESBURG – South Africa’s former chief justice Pius Nkonzo Langa, who fought for the release of jailed anti-apartheid activists and also served on the bench in Namibia’s Supreme Court, died in a Johannesburg hospital yesterday at the age of 74, the presidency said.
“The country has lost one of its best legal minds, a dedicated human rights jurist and a veteran struggle activist,” President Jacob Zuma said in a statement.
In Namibia, Chief Justice Peter Shivute also paid tribute to Langa in a statement released yesterday.
Langa, who served as an acting judge of appeal of Namibia’s Supreme Court from February 2010 to July 2011, made a sterling contribution to Namibia’s jurisprudence and “was widely recognised as a distinguished jurist with an unwavering commitment to human rights, democracy, social justice and the rule of law”, Chief Justice Shivute said.
“On a personal level, he was a relatively quiet and reflective gentleman and giant renowned for his powerful intellect, logical reasoning and clarity of formulation in his many seminal judgements and scholarly work he authored both in his home country and in Namibia,” Chief Justice Shivute remarked.
“Not only did he serve his country with distinction through his work, but he stood steadfast throughout his life by the high principles which continue to inspire us as a court. He is indeed worthy of memory in the history of this country.” – Own Correspondent/Nampa-AFP
In Namibia, Chief Justice Peter Shivute also paid tribute to Langa in a statement released yesterday.
Langa, who served as an acting judge of appeal of Namibia’s Supreme Court from February 2010 to July 2011, made a sterling contribution to Namibia’s jurisprudence and “was widely recognised as a distinguished jurist with an unwavering commitment to human rights, democracy, social justice and the rule of law”, Chief Justice Shivute said.
“On a personal level, he was a relatively quiet and reflective gentleman and giant renowned for his powerful intellect, logical reasoning and clarity of formulation in his many seminal judgements and scholarly work he authored both in his home country and in Namibia,” Chief Justice Shivute remarked.
“Not only did he serve his country with distinction through his work, but he stood steadfast throughout his life by the high principles which continue to inspire us as a court. He is indeed worthy of memory in the history of this country.” – Own Correspondent/Nampa-AFP
