Al-Qalam 
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Judge Achmat Jappie, a most outstanding and dedicated patriot who served our country with unswerving commitment.
He stands out as a legal giant among those whose contributions have served and continue to serve us in our struggle to build a nation out of scattered hopes and lofty aspirations.
South Africa is now bereft of one of its longstanding founding heroes and his passing is a tremendous loss to the national community. We should be assured that while great people will die, death can never kill their names. Judge Achmat Jappie was one of the most courageous and erudite Judges that the African continent has ever produced. We shall surely miss him.
Our obvious consolation is that he has left indelible imprints and footprints on the sands of time for us to continually remember him. His death represents the end of an era of those eminent jurists who presented legal arguments at our courts and made indelible marks in the judiciary.
Judge President Jappie was one of the very few whose legal brilliance shone beyond the nation’s horizon. Achmat was purely a classical, erudite and distinguished jurist. Very eloquent, brilliant and with such jurisprudential sagacity of a rare breed, he was an epitome of judicial uprightness. His contributions to our law and jurisprudence are unrivalled. He provided superb leadership for the legal system, improved the delivery of justice for the people, and earned the admiration of his colleagues throughout the judiciary. He led the judiciary with tremendous skill and wisdom. He honoured his country with a lifetime of service, and this country will honour his memory.
His commitment to the rule of law and justice for all was total. He left us something to emulate, decipher and make marks on in the course of our life experiences to make this country better.
Achmat Jappie’s death is a huge loss to the law profession and, of course, our dear country. He was a great mentor and seemingly fixed like the Northern Star. We thank Almighty Allah for his life and times. May his profound soul rest in perfect peace.
Farouk Araie
Benoni
