Pius Langa

Pius Nkonzo Langa (25 March 1939 to 24 July 2013) was a South African jurist who became the country first Black African Chief Justice, serving from June 2005 to October 2009. A human rights lawyer who defended anti-apartheid activists under the apartheid government, he was appointed to the Constitutional Court of South Africa upon its establishment in 1995, later serving as Deputy President of the Court from 1997 to 2001 and Deputy Chief Justice from 2001 to 2005 before President Thabo Mbeki elevated him to Chief Justice. He led the Court through a politically turbulent period and is remembered for his measured judicial temperament, including his handling of a misconduct complaint against fellow judge John Hlophe over alleged interference in litigation involving Jacob Zuma.