Nelson Mandela Foundation

On behalf of our Founder, Chairman, Trustees and staff we extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the Honorable Pius Langa, who passed away earlier today.

Mr Mandela appointed former Chief Justice Langa as one of the first judges of the then newly-established Constitutional Court of South Africa. The formation of this Court was a key milestone in the birth of our democracy and a strong indication of its commitment to deliver justice to the people of South Africa.

Justice Langa worked tirelessly to ensure that the human rights of South Africans were protected within the framework of the law, that the independence of the judiciary was promoted as a fundamental pillar of democracy, and that freedom was made a reality for all South Africans. In both his calling and his work he embodied the injunction made by Mr Mandela in 1994: “Our definition of the freedom of the individual must be instructed by the fundamental objective to restore the human dignity of each and every South African.”

Former Chief Justice Pius Langa served with excellence. He honoured and promoted the legacy of Mr Mandela. He will be missed …