Pictured : The Kollapen Family
The Pretoria Legacy Foundation hosted a magnificent Celebratory Evening to honour its Vice Chairperson, Justice Jody Kollapen, in Laudium, Pretoria on Friday night.
The Constitutional Court judge was feted and honoured in style by the foundation and local community, after his recent appointment to the apex court.
Several high-ranking dignitaries and heads of court attended the colourful event.
The event kicked off with a ceremonial display by the Pretoria Muslim Brigade. The crowd rose to their feet in spontaneous applause as the popular and much loved judge was escorted into the auditorium by members of the brigade.
Justice Jody Kollapen with members of the Pretoria Muslim Brigade, shortly before they formed a guard of honour to escort him into the auditorium at the Seva Samaj Hall.
Crowds of people from various communities attended the function and many more from the neighbouring precinct lined the streets to pay tribute to one of its finest sons.
Justice Kollapen enjoys almost pop-star like popularity amongst his community and they spared no effort to honour him by celebrating his successes with much song and dance.
Justice Jody Kollapen with Judge Harshila Kooverjie (Orange) and other guests.
The auditorium stage was elegantly decked out in its finest livery and could easily have been mistaken for an Oscar Awards ceremony.
The audience was entertained by fine performances of Indian dancing at its best by Jeena Dance Productions. A rising local musical star, Yuneil Padayachee belted out some of the guest of honours’ favourite songs from his saxophone. The audience was completely enthralled as the attendant band continued playing late into the night.
The popular justice and former human rights lawyer was introduced by two of his daughters, one a medical doctor and the other an advocate.
Part of the capacity crowd that attended the Celebratory Evening to honour Justice Jody Kollapen. Here is pictured with his wife Sylverani on the left and his two daughters and grandchildren alongside him.
Justice Kollapen delivered one his finest speeches. He spoke with great emotion and from the heart. He traced back his humble beginnings. His father was a waiter and his mother was a struggle activist who took part in the 1956 woman’s march to the Union Buildings.
In a remarkable speech, Justice Kollapen honoured the very same community that came to honour him. This was testimony to his incredible personality, as a humble and caring person that earned him the endearment of most members of his community. He reminisced about his life, family and career and his often witty and humorous anecdotes had the crowd in stitches.
He traced his life and career from Cowie Street in Marabastad, where he grew up, to his current post at Constitutional Hill, where the country’s highest court is located.
The Pretoria Legacy Foundation bestowed its highest award to one of their own and also recognised the achievements of another judge from the same community.
LSS Students on stage with PLF Chairperson Daya Chetty, Roshan Mohamed, Justice Kollapen and Farida Mahomed
Judge Harshila Kooverjie, who was recently appointed to the bench of the High Court in Pretoria, was also honoured at the function.
In a remarkable coincidence, both judges live just a street away from each other in the nearby suburb of Claudius, near Laudium. This fact too brought anecdotal laughter as the Justice Kollapen made light reference to it.
A tribute to the late Chief Justice Ismail Mahomed, who hails from the same community, was delivered by his niece, Aneesa Mahomed who heads up a big legal firm in the capital.
The prestigious event was even more significant in that both Mlambo JP and Ledwaba DJP of the Gauteng High Court were both in attendance. So too was the recently retired Japie JP of the KZN division. Several acting judges also graced the occasion, as did several members of the legal fraternity, the NPA, politicians, civil society leaders, industrialists and businessmen.
From L to R: Ahmed Arbee of the Laudium Care Services of the Aged and a member of the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges, Judge President of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Justice Dunston Mlambo and Ismail Abramjee of the Pretoria Legacy Foundation, at the function.
Two of the country’s most experienced legal writers, Karyn Maughan of News24 and Franny Rabkin of the Sunday Times also graced the occasion.
Ismail Abramjee, spokesperson of the foundation said that the event was the first significant community event since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and probably one of the most important post-democracy functions in the area.
He thanked all those that attended and especially the community for ensuring the success of the evening.
Students and educators from Laudium Secondary School assisted on the evening
He added that the profile and standing of the Pretoria Legacy Foundation had been severely enhanced by the hosting of the function.
He added that this new found momentum had propelled the foundation into becoming the most relevant community organisation in the community and its credible leadership has ensured that it unites all sectors of society as it promotes good social cohesion.
He also said that there has been a clamour by community activists to join in the work of the foundation, as the fruits of success are becoming evident to everyone in the community.
The PLF will soon announce its plans to mark Human Rights Day, a public holiday that will be celebrated on 21 March.
