Retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo stands as a cornerstone of South Africa’s post-apartheid judiciary. In this episode, he reflects on his journey—from his early days in legal practice to his leadership in the judiciary, including his pivotal role in the landmark State Capture Commission.

Justice Zondo explores what he considers the most significant legal milestone of his tenure: the Constitutional Court’s ruling in the contempt of court case involving former President Jacob Zuma. He explains why this decision was critical in reinforcing the principle that no one is above the law and in safeguarding the judiciary’s independence from political pressure.

Beyond landmark rulings, Justice Zondo discusses the ongoing challenge of maintaining judicial independence through the appointment of individuals with unwavering integrity and the mechanisms that ensure accountability. Looking ahead, he shares his thoughts on the potential role of AI in the courtroom and the future of justice in a rapidly evolving world.

This episode provides a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from one of South Africa’s most influential legal minds on the complexities, triumphs, and responsibilities of upholding the rule of law in a modern democracy.

Key moments:

00:00 Introduction to Legal Luminaries

00:27 Welcoming retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo

01:39 Significant legal developments and rulings

04:34 Reflections on the contempt of court case

10:45 Ensuring Judicial independence

14:08 The Role of AI in the Judiciary

16:39 Mediation and court backlogs

19:50 Institutional memory and legal education

24:43 Mentorship and early career reflections

27:49 Closing thoughts and farewell

Born into a politically active household in apartheid-era Durban, Justice Dhaya Pillay’s path to the judiciary was never just about law—it was about justice. In this episode of Legal Luminaries, she takes us on a deeply personal journey from student protests to the courtroom, sharing how activism shaped her legal career and forged her determination to challenge systemic inequality.

Justice Pillay reflects on the pivotal moments that influenced her path, from the launch of the Industrial Law Journal to her work with trade unions and the Centre for Applied Legal Studies. She discusses landmark cases on whistleblowing and disability rights, revealing the weight of dissenting judgments and the moral complexities of the law.

She also delves into the evolution of South Africa’s judiciary, the challenges of transformation, and the reforms still needed within the Judicial Services Commission. Thought-provoking and inspiring, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, justice, and the enduring fight for human rights.

00:00 Introduction to Legal Luminaries

00:50 Early life and influences of Justice Pillay

03:40 Navigating University and early career

05:57 Pioneering legal work and labour rights

08:50 Trailblazing in the Judiciary

16:12 Notable cases and impact

22:10 Challenges and reflections

31:30 The Judicial Services Commission experience

37:47 High-profile cases and public scrutiny

42:54 Conclusion and final thoughts

Constitutional Court Judge Kate O'Regan shares her journey from growing up in apartheid-era South Africa to becoming a champion of human rights, labour law, and land rights.

Justice O'Regan reflects on her early exposure to social injustices and her transition from journalism to law. She discusses her work with trade unions and communities facing eviction, her appointment to the Constitutional Court in 1994, and the power of law to drive change, even within restrictive systems. She also explores the challenge of ensuring laws have real-world impact and the ongoing struggle against inequality in South Africa.

Justice O'Regan shares insights into landmark cases, including the certification of the 1996 Constitution and New National Party v Government of the Republic of South Africa. Now the director of the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights at Oxford, she reflects on her continued commitment to justice, equality, and the evolving role of international institutions like the ICJ in addressing global conflicts.

00:41 Early life and influences of Judge Kate O'Regan

02:01 Journey into law and activism

04:03 Focus on Labour Law and land rights

06:06 Challenges and achievements in legal practice

14:28 Reflections on the Constitutional Court

19:36 Significant judgments and legal philosophy

31:43 Current work and perspectives on human rights

35:29 Continuing activism and hope in new generation

36:37 South Africa vs. Israel: The ICJ case

39:31 Concluding thoughts and legacy

More about Kate O’Regan:

Professor Kate O’Regan served as one of the first judges of the Constitutional Court of South Africa (from 1994 – 2009) and as an ad hoc judge of the Supreme Court of Namibia (from 2010 – 2016). Since 2016, she has served as the inaugural Director of the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights in the Faculty of Law at the University of Oxford. She has also served (and continues to serve) as a judge on several international tribunals and on the boards of NGOs working in the fields of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and equality. Her research is in the fields of comparative constitutional law and human rights. She is the chairperson of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, a director of SAFLII npc and a member of the Oversight Board Trust.

Image credit: Mandela Rhodes Foundation

Justice Albie Sachs’ life reads more like a fable than a conventional biography—a tale of courage, sacrifice, and an unshakable belief in justice. In this opening episode of season 2 of Legal Luminaries, the former Constitutional Court judge takes us through his extraordinary journey, from his early activism in the anti-apartheid struggle to helping shape South Africa’s democratic foundation.

With characteristic warmth and insight, Justice Sachs reflects on the pivotal role of the Constitutional Court in upholding human dignity, including its landmark ruling on same-sex marriage. He shares the inspiration behind The Albie Collection, an archive preserving the tensions and triumphs of South Africa’s constitutional journey, made possible by an award from Amal and George Clooney.

Through his philosophy of soft vengeance, he reveals why justice is more powerful than retribution. From poetic judgment writing to the global influence of South Africa’s legal system, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who turned personal loss into a lifelong pursuit of reconciliation, justice, and hope.

Key moments:

00:14 Meet Judge Albie Sachs

01:36 The Albie Collection and its Impact

05:09 South Africa's Constitutional Court and Global Influence

08:55 Early Life and Activism

16:37 Soft Vengeance and Restorative Justice

21:38 Human Rights and Legal Contributions

31:20 Reflections on Law and Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

34:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the final episode of this first season of Legal Luminaries, retired Gauteng judge president and former Tax Ombud Bernard Ngoepe shares his story of growing up in a rural village in Polokwane to serving as a Judge for 18 years.

From his early days tending sheep and cattle – having grown up in a rural village in Polokwane – to a stellar record for his participation in and contributions to human rights and the rule of law in South Africa and abroad, Justice Ngoepe is a pillar of pragmatism and wisdom.

He tells renowned journalist and author Iman Rappetti that one of his biggest life lessons has been finding compassion for his oppressors and using the lessons learned from the past to prevent making the same mistakes in the future.

Justice Ngoepe also shares his insights on the need for a predictable judiciary and the need for law reform in certain areas. He aptly notes that for any justice system to work, the laws must serve its people.

In this episode of Legal Luminaries, anti-apartheid activist and former Constitutional Court judge, Zak Yacoob, shares his personal and professional life story. From experiencing life as a blind person – having lost his sight at 16 months as a result of meningitis – to seeing and overcoming his own prejudices as a young student and man, Justice Yacoob is both candid, humorous, and authentic in this Legal Luminaries podcast interview.

After completing his LLB degree at the University of Durban-Westville in 1972, he tried in vain to get articles at over 30 law firms. When he realised he wasn't getting a foot in the door, he changed his plan—and that has made all the difference in his life.

Justice Jacoob also gives his opinion on some of the challenges and pitfalls in South African society today, including corruption and the judiciary, and shares his dreams of a social revolution for South Africans.

More about Justice Zak Yacoob:

Retired Justice Zak Yacoob has been blind from infancy and studied at the Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind in Durban. In service as judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa from 1998 to 2013, he became known nationally and internationally for his contribution to the socio-economic rights jurisprudence of South Africa. After his retirement, he received the 2013 Felicia and Sydney Kentridge Award for Service to the Law in Southern Africa and was awarded five honorary doctorates from the Universities of Fort Hare, KwaZulu-Natal, Witwatersrand, Pretoria, and the Free State. Read more here

“I went from office to office, mostly white law firms and mostly got the same answer. 'We cannot give you a job because we cannot have white secretaries taking instructions from a black person'…” – Judge Navi Pillay

In this episode of Legal Luminaries, Judge Navanethem "Navi" Pillay reflects on her journey into the judiciary, the milestones achieved during the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the duty judges have on the bench.

In 1967, Judge Pillay became the first non-white woman to open her own law practice in Natal Province; while years later she was the first non-white woman judge of the High Court of South Africa. Judge Pillay served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014.

Speaking to Iman Rappetti in this JacPod Original podcast, in collaboration with Juta, Judge Pillay also shares her perspectives on the imperative surrounding the protection of our Constitution and democracy.

Judge Pillay currently holds positions as Judge Ad Hoc of the International Court of Justice in the Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the crime of Genocide (The Gambia v Myanmar), President, International Commission Against the Death Penalty, Madrid, President Advisory Council of the International Nuremberg Principles Academy, Chair of UN/HRC Independent Commission of Inquiry into Israel and Palestine, Member, Africa Group for Justice and Accountability and Co-Convenor, Donor Direct Action, New York.

* Some content in this interview relating to sexual crimes may be disturbing to sensitive listeners.

"It takes blood, sweat, and tears - and many sleepless nights - to do what needs to be done to protect the integrity of the courts and the Rule of Law." - Justice Khampepe

In our launch episode of Legal Luminaries, Justice Sisi Khampepe shares some of her experiences and vulnerabilities as an aspiring black female lawyer during the Apartheid regime.

The retired Constitutional Court judge tells Legal Luminaries host Iman Rappetti how those experiences helped shape her career and contributions to South Africa’s judiciary.

Justice Khampepe also shares some wisdom for young aspiring judges and legal minds.

Justice Khampepe has had a rich legal career and is especially renowned for defending the rights of workers against unfair employment practices.

Legal Luminaries - Launches 14 August, 2023