The Johannesburg Diary
- J. Jarpa Dawuni, Ph.D.
- May 22
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Journeys. Jurisprudence. Justice.
“One never knows what theories are uncovered during storytelling. The art of storytelling and the dialogic of communicating one’s lived experiences is the first step to building knowledge and theory. Judicial storytelling is an act of freedom.” — J. Jarpa Dawuni, Ph.D.
On May 8, 2025, a high-profile audience gathered on the 15th floor of the ENS office in Johannesburg for the launch of the book African Women Judges: Storytelling as Judicial Freedom (Dawuni, 2025), which chronicles the journeys of 16 African women judges. The audience included former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, current Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga (in his personal capacity and also representing Chief Justice Mandisa Maya), two Deputy Judge Presidents, members of the judiciary of South Africa, lawyers, senior advocates, senior executives and the family of the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro.
Otsile Matlou, the Chief Operating Officer of ENS South Africa, opened the event with a chant of praise and invited the audience to observe a minute of silence in memory of Justice Mokgoro, whose first anniversary fell the following day—May 9th.
The launch of the book was a special tribute to the life and legacy of Justice Mokgoro, whose extraordinary journey to the Constitutional Court of South Africa and her contributions to South African jurisprudence through the judicialization of the indigenous principle of Ubuntu continue to reverberate in the legal and judicial landscape of South Africa and beyond.
Judge Margie Victor, co-author (with Prof. Penelope Andrews) of the chapter on Justice Mokgoro recounted their initial challenge of capturing this remarkable life in one chapter “how do we write about a woman’s life that was so full of passion and purpose? ”
In his remarks about the book, former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke emphasized the importance of judges sharing their judicial stories, as chronicled in his book All Rise: A Judicial Memoir. He paid a glowing tribute to Justice Mokgoro's work on the Constitutional Court and how she stood her ground in making judicial decisions. He concludes, “She was a voice of reason and calm when things heated up in the deliberations by judges.”
Itatheng Mokgoro, representing the Mokgoro family, shared the family's appreciation for the event honoring their late dear mother with his words, “I had a chance to read the chapter on my mother and as always its hard not to shed a tear when reading about her impact on social justice in South Africa.”
Justice Leona Theron of the Constitutional Court of South Africa emphasized the importance of the book, stating, “This book is very important in South Africa and the continent, and I think it's important to tell the stories of women judges. Most of us who become judges have come from difficult circumstances, and I think it is important for the future and the next generation, especially young women, to see that they can achieve their dreams.”
A special video tribute from former Constitutional Court Judge Albie Sachs is shared, in which he reflected on the critical symbolic and descriptive role of Justice Mokgoro on the Constitutional Court:
The event would not have been successful without the support of the ENS office in South Africa. Chairman of ENS, Professor Michael Katz, highlighted the importance of the event in reminding everyone of the contributions of individuals like Justice Mokgoro and all those who served the country during its early democratic and judicial rebuilding in post-apartheid South Africa.
Bobo Radu, daughter of the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, shared her joy noting;
"It was so wonderful to hear all the incredible things everybody had to say, not just about my mom, but also in celebration of all the African women judges who continue to inspire, who have walked a long path with true resilience and perseverance, we salute and celebrate them not just today but may we do so always.”
Representing the board of directors of the Institute for African Women in Law at the event were Judge Margie Victor, Advocate Sesi Baloyi, and Advocate Kimmy Behari.
The events concluded with a celebration and networking reception hosted by ENS South Africa.
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About the book
This edited volume centers the voices of African women judges as agents of justice and equality. The legal and personal narratives approach in the book privileges the contributors’ lived experiences, professional trajectories, contributions and challenges. The legal narrative storytelling approach also contributes to oral histories of African indigenous knowledge production and transfer. By highlighting the substantive representation of women in African judicial leadership, the chapters examine their impact on the development of jurisprudence, judicial administration, and contributions to the rule of law, access to justice, and women's rights in contemporary Africa. This book significantly contributes to the diversity of knowledge and representation in the global discourse on gender and judging, offering a novel contribution to the growing literature on African women judges.
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Endorsements
“I know how invaluable role models are in developing young people and those already in the legal profession. We all need inspiration. The stories in this book will inspire anyone who has a dream but sees a dark or difficult road ahead. These stories will light the way forward and give you the strength to persevere. As you read these stories, you will cry, laugh, and experience sadness, joy and light. Each jurist overcame seemingly insurmountable challenges, and their stories will give you hope and confidence as they reveal how and why they have been so successful.”
Judge Ann Claire Williams (Ret.), Federal U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
“Another pioneering book by J. Dawuni documents the presence and impact of women judges on and off the bench. The book combines storytelling through the voices of women judges with their judicial decisions and non-judicial contributions. It makes the case that when women tell their stories, they gain freedom, own their narrative and model excellence for other women. It is a compelling read for mentoring, training and promoting women’s leadership in law.”
Gertrude Araba Sackey Torkornoo, Chief Justice of Ghana.
“This is a great compendium of judicial narratives that showcase the fortitude, focus and impact of women judges as judicial officers. The narratives in this book are not just stories—they are life-changing, and life-enhancing. It is an essential toolbox of strategies for mentoring and leadership for women on the bench. Read it, model it, and practice it—judicial storytelling is indeed judicial freedom.”
Mandisa Lindelwa Maya, Chief Justice of South Africa.
“Dr. J. Jarpa Dawuni has crafted an extraordinary tribute to African women in the judiciary, highlighting their resilient journeys and unparalleled contributions to justice. This book does more than narrate; it documents, preserves, and celebrates the pioneering spirits of these judges, whose voices are crucial in transforming the legal landscape. With keen insight, Dawuni captures the intersection of gender, law, and cultural identity, creating a foundational work for scholars, practitioners, and advocates. This volume will inspire future generations, reaffirming the power of storytelling as a means of judicial freedom and historical legacy.”
Meaza Ashenafi, Former Chief Justice of Ethiopia.
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