SA Law Reform Commission Celebrates Justice Mokgoro’s Legacy Through Essay Competition

Pretoria: The South African Law Reform Commission (SALRC) has announced the opening of this year's Legal Essay Writing Competition, inviting young legal minds pursuing LLB or LLM qualifications in South Africa to participate. According to South African Government News Agency, the competition, starting this season and continuing for the next five years, is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the late Justice Yvonne Mokgoro. Justice Mokgoro, who passed away in 2024, was celebrated for her significant contributions to constitutional jurisprudence, human rights, transformation, and the advancement of justice in South Africa. She made history as the first black female justice of South Africa's Constitutional Court in 1994, serving for approximately 15 years. The SALRC, in collaboration with sponsors Juta and Company, encourages law students at South African universities to submit essays that reflect on how law reform has contributed to the nation's democracy, commemorating 30 years of democratic governance. The competition aims to inspire innovative ideas and identify future legal scholars poised to influence South Africa's evolving jurisprudence. Participants are required to submit their essays by midnight on 31 July 2026, to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected], for a chance to win prizes and recognition in the legal community.