Past Visiting Scholar

2009

Justice Zak Yacoob

Justice Zak Yacoob of the Constitutional Court of South Africa was in residence January and February of 2009. During this time he taught "Equality, Transformation and Socio-Economic Rights: A South African Case Study."

Videos of Justice Yacoob's visit:

• Discussion with Professor John McKay on the future of Guantanamo: Justice Yacoob
• Dinner talk on the South African constitution and socio-economic rights

Justice Zakeria Mohammed Yacoob was born on 3 March 1948 and became blind at 16 months as a result of meningitis. He was a prominent lawyer during the struggle against apartheid. During this time he:

• represented and advised many people prosecuted for contravening security laws, emergency measures and other oppressive legislation;
• represented victims of unfair evictions and people who were required to pay unfair tariffs;
• represented the "Durban Six" in negotiations with the British government when they occupied the British Consulate in Durban in 1984 in protest against apartheid and unjust laws;
• was part of a team that from 1985 until 1988 defended officials and members of the United Democratic Front and its affiliates in the Delmas Treason Trial; and
• represented the accused in the "Vula" trial, which involved high-ranking members of the African National Congress, in 1990 and 1991.

He joined the Constitutional Court of South Africa in February 1998. He has authored some of the seminal cases on socio-economic rights under the South African Constitution, including Government of the RSA v. Grootboom (full opinion).