As he bowed out of office last Friday, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke said the judiciary was safe in the hands of Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, notes a BDlive report. At Moseneke’s farewell function at the Constitutional Court, both spoke of the importance of putting the institution first – in what the report describes as an unprecedented public affirmation of the unity of the judiciary and its highest court. Moseneke said despite their ‘initial discomfort’, he and Mogoeng had ‘found each other’. ‘Each time there was a storm that swelled around this institution, you and me stood firm,’ he said to Mogoeng. ‘I can say without any fear of contradiction that your integrity has been shown to be beyond question.’ However, Moseneke warn ed Mogoeng that there was ‘much turbulence ahead’. However a ‘good pilot’ navigated that kind of turbulence and Mogoeng had his full confidence, he said.

Full BDlive report  

Moseneke was described as a giant, a hero, a courageous, fearless man and an astute legal mind as praise for him flowed freely, says a Weekend Argus report. ‘We cannot thank you enough for having ensured that SA gets to have this lawyer of exceptional ability, a legal giant… a jurist who’s made an enormous contribution to the enrichment of our jurisprudence,’ said Mogoeng – who had only praise for the way Moseneke handled being overlooked on more than one occasion for the position of Chief Justice. ‘He said it was an honour just to be a judge of the High Court and even more so a Deputy Chief Justice. He said my responsibility is more to the nation than to myself.’ Guests at the ceremo ny included former Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Mothlanthe, veteran human rights lawyer George Bizos, former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille.

Full Weekend Argus report (subscription needed)  

Moseneke told of how he adopted the mantra of liberating himself, and later embarked on a journey to fight for freedom and defend political activists as an attorney, says a Mail & Guardian report. Moseneke said he knew when he was released from Robben Island – after his arrest for his political activities at the age of 14 – that he had to make a choice. In doing this, he said he learnt a few lessons. ‘The first lesson I learnt was that you cannot merely dream about your revolutionary ideals. You have to take real and concrete steps to pursue those legitimate ideals. I go back to where I started – I am my own liberator, and my people are their own liberators.’ He said it was a privilege to wo rk with Mogoeng. He was blessed to work in the legal fraternity with brilliant legal minds who made the law seem easy, he said. The report adds Moseneke has been the country’s longest serving Deputy Chief Justice, after serving under three Chief Justices over 14 years. He delivered his last judgment on Friday. He said he has written memoirs about his life, due to be published in September.

Full Mail & Guardian report Address by Deputy Minister Jeffery at the Ceremonial Court Session to Mark the Retirement of Deputy Chief Justice Moseneke See ‘Six sets of wise words from Moseneke’  

The ANC paid tribute to Moseneke, for his accomplished and impeccable career, says a News24 report. ‘We remain highly indebted to the Deputy Chief Justice for his lifelong and selfless commitment to the course of the struggle for liberation and advancement of the rule of law and the Constitution,’ the ANC said. ‘His remarkable mastery of the law, razor-sharp intellect and devotion to social justice has earned him respect and admiration both within and outside the legal fraternity.’ Moseneke’s meticulous judgments and fearless pursuit of justice and fairness – through which he championed the interests of the poor and the underprivileged – had earned him a special place among the greatest jurists in the country's history, the party said. Noting he was a founding member of the Black Lawyer’s Association and the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (Nadel), Nadel paid tribute to ‘a true leader in all endeavours that he has undertaken in life’.

Full News24 report Six sets of wise words from Moseneke

Moseneke and the duty of justice