SABWiL accepts the invitation of Gauteng Division Judge President Mlambo to celebrate the life of the Late Justice Webster. President Ziyabukwa lights the candle with the following address.
CEREMONIAL COURT SITTING FOR THE LATE MR JUSTICE G. WEBSTER
Your Excellencies, Honourable guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to say all protocols observed. On behalf of South African Black Women in Law (SABWiL), I am incredibly honoured to stand here and give an address in honour of the Late Justice George Webster.
Allow me to say “Igama Lamakhosikazi Malibongwe”, this comes at a time where we have just entered the Women’s Month. It is a time when we not only celebrate, but also reflect on our progress, both our accomplishments and the challenges we face in our fight for women’s empowerment and gender equality. While it is necessary to recognise the country’s democratic development, it is becoming increasingly critical to guarantee that women and girls see themselves reflected in our leaders.
In the words of Hillary Clinton, “We share a common future, and we are here to find a common ground so that we may help bring new dignity and respect to women and girls all over the world”. Justice George Webster embodied what it is to “be resilient” and “taking up space”, this was evident in most of the cases he adjudicated that restored and protected the rights of women and children.
To name a few the Tshepo Nkomo matter which was held in Pretoria High Court. The Late Justice G. Webster before sentencing this man to life imprisonment for murdering his girlfriend and unborn child, he said, “Pregnant women are revered and protected in our society. The protection extends to every woman, be she pregnant or not, be she young or old”, he continued to say, “Wathint’ Abafazi, Wathint’ Imbokodo” which means ‘You strike the woman, you strike the rock’. He said if the accused has never heard of it, he must try to remember it.
And also, in the earlier matter held in Potchefstroom Magistrate Court in which the case was referred to Pretoria High Court for sentencing, of Isaac Khune, who knew he was HIV-positive when he raped the two girls. Justice George Webster said that “I can find no reason to consider, even for one second, that there are compelling circumstances not to send you to jail for life” He added “I hope sometime in the future you will examine yourself and find in you some inner goodness to regret what you have done to these innocent children. Children should be loved and cherished”. He pointed out that women have the right to privacy and to walk where they please without being molested.
SABWiL is an international consciousness movement that celebrates South Africa, Blacks, Women, and Law. We are founded upon dignity, equality and freedom infused in the philosophies of Ubuntu and Zenzele, and Justice George Webster was epitome of that. We will continue celebrating his life for all the impact he had in the society for making sure that women and children’s rights are protected and justice is served.
MAY HIS SOUL CONTINUE TO REST IN PEACE.
VUK’UZENZELE!
UBUNTU,
South African Black Women in Law
NDLOVU ZIYABUKWA
SABWiL 5th PRESIDENT
Ziyabukwa Ndlovu
SABWiL 5th President