Johannesburg – The Judiciary is mourning the passing of South Africa’s first female judge, Justice Leonora van den Heever.
Van den Heever died on Thursday, 20 November 2025, at the age of 99.
“Her loss is felt not only by her family and friends, but by the entire legal community and indeed, the nation,” said Chief Justice Mandisa Maya in a statement made available to The Bulrushes late on Sunday, 23 November 2025.
Justice van den Heever’s distinguished career stands as a testament to courage and perseverance.
“As South Africa’s first female judge, first appointed in 1969, she shattered a formidable glass ceiling at a time when the bench was the exclusive preserve for male Judges,” the statement said.
Later, in 1991, she became the first woman to serve permanently at the Appellate Division, which became the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Her pioneering presence opened doors for women in the Judiciary, and her legacy lives on in the many who follow in her footsteps.
Justice van den Heever’s legal mind was sharp and principled.
“She rendered judgments of clarity and conviction, moulding legal doctrine with integrity and a sense of justice that transcended the courtroom,” the statement said.
Beyond her role in the Judiciary, she was a woman of culture and an author of note.
Justice van den Heever wrote children’s books, short stories, and contributed significantly to South African literary life.
Her commitments also extended into service on cultural boards, poetry, and the arts.
As a symbol of achievement and service, she received numerous honours. Among them, she was awarded an honorary LLD, recognising not only her legal acumen but her unwavering dedication to justice and fairness.
“To her family, we offer our heartfelt condolences,” said Chief Justice Maya.
“The Judiciary mourns with you and honours her memory.”
Chief Justice Maya added: “To her former colleagues, the legal fraternity and all whose lives she touched, may we continue to emulate her strength of character and her unshakeable faith in the power of the law to serve society.”
Justice Leonora Van den Heever leaves behind a legacy that is both enduring and transformational.
“She reminds us that courage and conviction can reshape institutions and open pathways where none existed before,” the statement said.
“Though she has passed from this world, her spirit endures in the very fabric of our courts.
“May she rest in peace, and may her life continue to inspire our judicial service and pursuit of justice.”
