Judge Fikile Mokgohloa: Hard work is key

POLOKWANE – Mokgohloa was born in Pretoria and grew up in Winterveld, a rural area which she says was known for not being the best neighbourhood. Growing up in an area like that is what motivated Mokgohloa to study law and try to make a difference in the community she grew up in.

“I told my mother that as soon as I became a lawyer, I’m going back to Winterveld.” She says her mission was to teach people about the law and the responsibility each individual had towards upholding the law of the land.

Not only did her background inspire her to start her own practice, it inspired her to start the Street Law Project which aims to teach people in rural areas about the way criminal law courts work and the law and processes involved with bail applications.

“A lot of the time, people would see someone being released on bail and thought the law had failed them and that is when they took the law into their own hands. I started the Street Law Project to teach them about how the system works and to help them understand it better by explaining what exactly happens inside a court.”

Furthermore, the project aimed to teach women about domestic violence, something Mokgohloa is very passionate about. “I had to explain to women what domestic violence is and how they can protect themselves by using the law.”

If appointed as Deputy Judge President of the High Court, Mokgohloa will be the sixth woman in a leadership position in the judiciary, out of a total of 23 people.

She says she is excited about women becoming more prominent in the industry but states it is not just about gender equality. “I want women to flourish because of their capabilities, not simply because they are women. We are in the positions we are in because we are competent and we can do the work that is expected of us,” she says.

In her JSC interview, Mokgohloa was praised for her exceptional work ethic, something she says stems from the fact that she is a perfectionist. She goes on to say that she is in her position to deliver a service.

“Many people look to us to give them the service they deserve and that is why we must lead by example, this includes delivering judgements and being punctual.”

Mokgohloa is known for her punctuality as well as being organised and says if there is work to be done, one should not procrastinate as that leads to you being disorganised. “I live by the advice I got from my mother who told me you always get out what you put in and that is why I always do my best. I make sure to lead by example.”

What she likes most about her job is that it is challenging, given that on a day to day basis she doesn’t know what will happen in court and she has the chance to increase her knowledge.

“Reading articles and papers on cases means I learn something new every day and I won’t become stagnant,” she explains.

She says with law, what is most important is the evidence in front of you. She says one of the most common misconceptions is that judges act on feelings when handing down judgement.

Mokgohloa has one son and a grandchild and when she is not at work she loves spending time with her grandchild.

Like any gem, Mokgohloa has many facets. She is an avid reader and says most people will be surprised to hear that she loves cars. “If you come to my house, you will most likely find car magazines all around the house. I love cars and I can tell you anything and everything about them. I’m lucky enough to drive my dream car, a Range Rover,” she gushes.

She loves comedy and her favourite comedian is Trevor Noah. “I like comedy and laughing is a form of relaxation for me,” she says.

Living by her mother’s advice, Mokgohloa’s advice to young people aspiring to follow in her footsteps is to be willing to make sacrifices and to be dedicated.

“You must have a passion for what you do and through hard work, dedication and sacrifice, you will reap the benefits of your hard labour,” she concludes.

raeesak@nmgroup.co.za