Justice Temba Sangoni
By Thobeka Makume
The late former Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, Justice Temba Sangoni, was laid to rest in his hometown of Qokolweni, Mthatha, in the Eastern Cape on Saturday, 21 June 2025. Sangoni, who passed away at the age of 77 following a short illness, was celebrated as a humble servant of the law and the people, whose life embodied integrity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to justice and public service. His funeral, held at Sangoni Komkhulu, drew dignitaries, legal professionals, and community members who gathered to honour a man whose contributions to the judiciary and traditional leadership left a lasting legacy in South Africa.
A Final Send-Off for a Man of the Law
Justice Temba Sangoni’s funeral on 21 June 2025 marked the end of an extraordinary life dedicated to justice and humanity. The service, held in the heart of Qokolweni, was granted Official Provincial Funeral Category 2 status, reflecting his immense contributions to the nation. Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane requested this honour, recognising Sangoni’s dual role as a legal giant and a senior traditional leader of the Qokolweni-Zimbane Traditional Council.
The ceremony was a heartfelt tribute to a man who served South Africa with distinction. Mourners, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, paid their respects to Sangoni’s remarkable legacy. “Judge Sangoni lived for justice and the improvement of the material conditions of communities in the Eastern Cape and elsewhere through constitutionally sound, progressive jurisprudence,” Ramaphosa said in a moving statement.
A Legal Career Spanning Decades
Justice Sangoni’s legal career stretched over four decades, earning him widespread respect for his deep legal insight and ethical leadership. Born on 18 March 1948 in Butterworth, Transkei, he began his journey in law after attending St John’s College in Mthatha. He studied at the University of Transkei, earning a BJuris in 1984 and an LLB in 1987. His early career saw him serve as a regional court prosecutor in Butterworth before moving to the role of state law adviser in the Transkei.
In 1993, Sangoni joined the Transkei Bar in Mthatha, where he practised as an advocate for 22 years. His excellence was recognised in 2005 when he took silk, becoming a Senior Counsel. His career reached its peak in 2010 when he was appointed Judge President of the Eastern Cape Division of the High Court, a position he held until his retirement in 2017. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to improve case flow management and ensure access to justice in underserved areas like Mthatha.
Sangoni was a key figure in transforming the judiciary in the Eastern Cape. He addressed systemic challenges, making the courts more efficient and accessible to ordinary South Africans. His leadership was praised by Ramaphosa, who noted, “Under his leadership, the Judiciary in the Eastern Cape applied its mind collectively and individually to matters pertaining to the development of this economically vital province.”
Building Capacity in the Legal Profession
Beyond his judicial duties, Sangoni was deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of legal minds. He led the Sangoni Partnership, a firm that became a cornerstone of empowerment in the legal community. Long before the term “empowerment” became widely used in South Africa, Sangoni was providing young advocates with opportunities to grow through a steady stream of briefs.
His mentorship shaped the careers of many distinguished jurists, including Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, retired Constitutional Court Justice Chris Jafta, Constitutional Court Justice Steven Majiedt, Judge President Selby Mbenenge, Judge Phillip Zilwa, and Acting Deputy Chief Justice Batho Mokgoro. Reflecting on his influence, Chief Justice Maya said, “I owe a lot to the Sangoni Partnership, not to acknowledge that publicly would be a disservice to his legacy.” The firm embodied Sangoni’s belief that injustice must never go unchallenged, regardless of who it affected.
A Traditional Leader with Deep Roots
Justice Sangoni’s contributions were not limited to the courtroom. As a senior traditional leader of the Qokolweni-Zimbane Traditional Council, he remained devoted to his community. He worked to preserve his people’s sense of identity, heritage, and history, advocating for education, healthcare, and economic development in rural areas. “He was a man who advocated for education, emphasising that one couldn’t lead anything or be anything without putting education first,” Kubayi said during her eulogy at the funeral.
Sangoni’s ability to balance his roles as a judge and traditional leader was remarkable. He brought wisdom and fairness to both, ensuring that his decisions respected legal principles while addressing the needs of his people. His integrity was unwavering, a quality Kubayi described as “living in alignment with your true self, acting in accordance with your values, and making choices that reflect your authentic desires.”
His commitment to service also earned him a unique honour: he was one of three executors of Nelson Mandela’s estate, alongside Advocate George Bizos SC and Justice Dikgang Moseneke. This role underscored the trust placed in him by one of South Africa’s greatest leaders.
Tributes from a Grateful Nation
The outpouring of tributes following Sangoni’s death on 10 June 2025 highlighted his profound impact. President Ramaphosa called his passing a “devastating loss” to his family and community and a “profound loss” to the nation’s legal heritage. Chief Justice Maya added, “Sangoni’s legacy is etched not only in the judgments he delivered but in the lives he touched and the dignity he brought to the profession.”
Minister Kubayi, delivering the eulogy, described Sangoni as a “stalwart of the judiciary” and a “respected senior traditional leader.” She said, “His passing is a profound loss, not only to the justice system but also to the nation, especially to the people under the Qokolweni-Zimbane Traditional Council, whom he served with distinction and dedication.” Kubayi also echoed the words of Martin Luther King Jr., noting that Sangoni lived a life that made “a better person of himself, a greater nation of his country, and a finer world for everyone to live in.”
A Life of Integrity and Humanity
Sangoni’s life was a testament to civility, honesty, and a firm belief that injustice must never go unchallenged. Pre- and post-democracy, he remained a beacon of hope for those seeking fairness and equality. His dual legacy as a legal luminary and traditional leader will inspire generations to come.
As mourners gathered in Qokolweni to bid him farewell, they celebrated a man who lived fully in service of humanity. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., which Kubayi quoted, “Make a career of humanity, commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights, you will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” These words perfectly captured Sangoni’s journey—a life dedicated to justice, service, and the betterment of South Africa.
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