Remembering Justice Thembile Skweyiya
Legal luminary, human rights advocate, former Trustee of the BLA-LEC
The exemplary late Thembile Skweyiya was a remarkable man who led a fully accomplished life. In September, we awoke to the news of his passing, an unfortunate loss to his family, the legal fraternity, South Africa and the regions of Africa which he spent much of his early legal profession in. Born 17 June 1939.
In the same token, our theme in our September issue focused and centred around celebrating our heroes. On heroes, it is said,
anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.
He was lauded as an extra-ordinary human rights lawyer, Justice Thembile Skweyiya is one of our heroes, we honour him.
His legal life
Justice Skweyiya started his educational career at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal where he completed his first degree, a bachelor of Social Science in 1963. He went on to successfully obtain his bachelor of laws in 1967 from his alma mater. In 1974 he was an Advocate of the High Court of Lesotho. Described as a passionate, enthusiastic young man he was also a member and legal advisor of the ‘Panel of Advisers South African Student Association’ (SASO). In the 80s he dedicated his practice to defending political activists involved in the liberation struggle during the apartheid regime.
In their tribute to Justice Skweyiya, LRC note that Skweyiya often saw his role as “waging a different style of struggle”
His notable judgements include J v National Director which addressed issues involving children’s rights, and the principles surrounding the best interests of children as a paramount feature of the law.
Post Retirement
He retired from the Constitutional Court bench in 2014, yet a man truly committed to human rights, he signed on as Prisons
A great, many great lessons. A true hero at heart.
You can have the best Constitution but if you have someone with a hungry stomach, someone who has no home, and someone who can’t go to hospital and be attended to, it is a meaningless document.
– Justice Thembile Skweyiya
*Sources:
, last accessed 10 October 2015 11:31am.
, former constitutional court judge dies; last accessed 10 October 2015 11:31am.
Image Source: Gallo Images/Sowetan.
