Ladysmith KZN: Highly respected magistrate retires

Ladysmith Magistrate Fathima Moola has retired after serving the Department of Justice for 40 years. Fathima, who hails from the well-known Amod Moola family of local pioneers, was one of the first females from her family to go to university.

An alumna of ML Sultan Primary and Windsor High schools, she studied a Law degree at the University of Durban Westville and returned to Ladysmith in 1979 to serve her Articles with the firm of Maree & Pace. Apartheid dictated that Fathima could not serve at the Ladysmith Court, so she took up an appointment as Prosecutor at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court in 1980.

She progressed quickly to Senior Prosecutor before finally being allowed to work in Ladysmith in 1988, albeit as a Prosecutor for a short period of time before being appointed Senior Prosecutor until 1990. Thereafter, she became Magistrate at the Ladysmith Court. Fathima became a familiar and highly respected figure in the corridors of justice, wearing her Islamic hijab and magisterial gown with equal dignity.

Her attachment to Ladysmith led her to decline appointments in other magisterial districts; their loss being our town’s gain, because this formidable lady did not limit her activities to the courthouse. She launched herself into social upliftment and humanitarian causes that saw her in much demand as a guest speaker at social, educational and fund-raising events.

Fathima is particularly known for the sterling work she did for the Abused Women’s Desk. Several accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement award from the Islamic Educational Centre and the Department of Justice’s Woman Achiever of the Year, bear testimony to her social activism and community service.

Fathima cites her community work as the most rewarding aspect of her career and thanks the Department of Justice, members of the South African Police Service, RTI and the departments of Correctional Services and Public Safety, who all worked closely with her in her social outreach endeavours. Known for her strict professionalism, Fathima receives much praise from colleagues, community leaders and ordinary people whose lives she touched.

Now that she has time on her hands, Fathima (a passionate globe-trotter who has travelled to more than 20 countries) intends to travel even more once the pandemic is over – between continuing her humanitarian work and indulging her fondness for cooking which has made her a home chef of note among family and friends.

The Ladysmith Gazette joins the community of Ladysmith in wishing Fathima Moola a pleasant retirement.