Fikile Mokgohloa

Fikile Mokgohloa (full name Fikile Eunice Mokgohloa; 1 June 1961 – 20 August 2026) was a South African judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal. She previously served as Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo Division of the High Court and as a judge of the KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo High Courts. Born in Pretoria and raised in Winterveld, she was known for judgments advancing social justice, protecting the rights of informal settlement residents, promoting access to information, and upholding dignity in matters involving Muslim marriages. Quotes “I am prone to judicial activism.” Judges Matter (Judicial Service Commission interview) “It becomes my order and then I must live with it.” Judges Matter (explaining why she refused to rubber-stamp a Road Accident Fund settlement she was not satisfied with) “I had to explain to women what domestic violence is and how they can protect themselves by using the law.” The Citizen “Many people look to us to give them the service they deserve and that is why we must lead by example, this includes delivering judgements and being punctual.” The Citizen “I live by the advice I got from my mother who told me you always get out what you put in and that is why I always do my best. I make sure to lead by example.” The Citizen “[The municipality’s conduct] flies in the face of section 32 of the Constitution, the letter and spirit of The Promotion of Access to Information Act and descent values of government.” Eulogy by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi (from her judgment in V & V Consulting (Pty) Ltd v Umlalazi Local Municipality) About Fikile Mokgohloa “Justice Mokgohloa’s passing is a profound loss to the Judiciary, the legal profession and the people of South Africa. She leaves behind a distinguished judicial legacy marked by intellectual rigour, diligence, independence and an unwavering commitment to the administration of justice.” Judiciary of South Africa (statement by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya) “We are also here to celebrate that the girl child from Winterveld 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.” Eulogy by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi “In this judgment, Judge Mokgohloa struck down a temporary court order that had been used by the MEC and the Durban Municipality to evict thousands of poor people from informal settlements in Durban, rendering them homeless. The judgment represented progress towards a more just society for the people who must live with the burden of inequality.” SAnews (on her judgment in Mchunu and Others v Executive Mayor, eThekwini Municipality) “Justice Mokgohloa found that the wife ‘cannot be precluded from obtaining relief in terms of the Marriage Act by virtue of her Muslim marriage, irrespective of whether the respondent pronounced a talaq or not.’ In this judgment she communicated the message that our respect for religious rights cannot trump fairness and the right to dignity.” Eulogy by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi External links Category:South African women Category:South African judges Category:Women judges Category:1961 births Category:2026 deaths