A life devoted to justice, dignity and service
President Mandela once said:
"Men and women, all over the world, come and go. Some leave
nothing behind, not even their name. It would appear that they
never lived at all. Others do leave something behind, the haunting
memory of the evil deeds they committed against other human beings
...Whenever their names are mentioned, feelings of contempt, of
disgust, of revulsion, of hatred well up in our hearts ...
There is another second category of people who leave something behind. These are the men and women who have emerged in various parts of the world, and who have chosen the world to be the battleground of their efforts, the theatre of their operations. Their task is one, that is to improve the living conditions of the people amongst whom they live, to make life, to make everybody feel that it is worthwhile to live, to fight questions like poverty, ignorance, disease and want. They are the men and women who want to put sunshine in the hearts of the poorest of the poor. Their name lives beyond the grave."
The life of our beloved Judge Taswell Papier falls squarely in
the last category that Mandela spoke about.
We at ENS join the legal fraternity and all who strive for justice
to mourn the passing of Judge Taswell Papier, a jurist of
remarkable humanity, integrity and courage. An ordinary South
African who did extraordinary things. A lawyer, whose life's
work reshaped access to justice in South Africa and whose influence
will continue to guide the profession into the future.
For Judge Papier, the law was never abstract. It was something to be practised in service of people, especially those for whom dignity and justice were too often withheld. His work flowed from a deep and steady conviction that the privilege of practising law carries with it responsibility: to listen, to act and to stand firm where fairness demands it. To always be on the side of justice.
Born and raised on the Cape Flats, Judge Papier began his legal career firmly rooted in the communities of Atlantis and Mitchells Plain.
A veteran human rights lawyer, he provided critical legal assistance during the late 1980s, one of South Africa's most repressive periods. As a member of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers, he represented anti apartheid activists during the State of Emergency, embodying courage, clarity and compassion in circumstances that demanded all three.
International recognition never altered the way he carried himself. After completing his legal studies at the University of the Western Cape, and later attending a human rights programme at Harvard University, he was awarded a scholarship to complete a master's degree in law. Judge Papier was recognised globally for his contribution to the profession, including being named the 2006 International Lawyer of the Year for his outstanding work on human rights.
From 2004 until his elevation to the bench in 2017, he served as an Executive in the corporate and commercial practice at ENS. In that capacity, he was pivotal in helping ENS establish the first grassroots Pro Bono office in Mitchells Plain. His conviction was instrumental in enabling the firm to embed pro bono as a lived commitment rather than a symbolic gesture. His former law office in Mitchells Plain continues to serve as ENS's Pro Bono Office in the Western Cape, providing legal services to the communities of Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha - a tangible and enduring legacy.
Our Chairman, Michael Katz, who met Judge Papier following the
merger that formed ENS, recalls:
"When I met him, he was entirely different from what I
expected - a heavy hitting commercial lawyer. He was a true
gentleman, modest, humble and respectful. This was my first
impression of Taswell, and it never changed since inception and
continued over the long period that I knew him. In fact, this
impression was considerably strengthened over the many years since
then."
Colleagues across the firm and beyond recall his instinctive collegiality and generosity of spirit.
His leadership extended far beyond ENS. Judge Papier played a
pivotal role in advancing pro bono obligations within South
Africa's legal framework, serving as President of the Cape Law
Society, Chair of its Pro Bono Committee, Chair of the National
Sheriffs Board, and in leadership roles within the Law Society of
South Africa and international human rights bodies. His receipt of
Provincial Honours in the Western Cape - The Order of the Disa
placed him among South Africans whose contributions fundamentally
shaped the nation's civic and moral life.
Those who encountered him remember not only his legal intellect,
but the warmth he brought to every interaction. Natasha Wagiet,
ENS'our Pro Bono Manager, reflects:
"Judge Papier, affectionately known as Tas, was a revolutionary giant, a brilliant legal mind and one of the kindest people I have ever met. Hamba kahle."
"Taswell will be remembered for the genuine kind heartedness he showed to everyone he encountered, always making a point to acknowledge their presence. Rest in peace. You have touched so many lives," reflects Theresa Cornelius, who worked closely as his personal assistant for more than a decade.
Mzi Mgudlwa, ENS Chief Executive, and a longtime friend of Judge
Papier, adds:
"Taswell's life reminds us that the true measure of a
lawyer is not found in title or status, but in service, integrity
and care for others. His legacy lives on in the values he embodied,
in the communities he served, and in the standards he quietly set
for all of us at ENS. We are honoured to have walked part of his
journey with him. We at ENS will continue the work that Taswell
championed, the task of making sure that access to justice is not
exclusively for those who have the means to pay for legal services.
May his name continue to light the lives of our people."
"A life so well lived, a true community activist and an outstanding South African, Taswell's name will be cited amongst the names of Dullah Omar, Ashley Kriel, James Matthews and many others who found it very uncomfortable to accept the historical injustices of our country. Hamba kahle mhlobo wam", concludes Mzi.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, to his friends and colleagues, and to all those whose lives were shaped by his work. We honour a life lived with integrity, humility and purpose.
May Judge Taswell Papier rest in peace and may his legacy continue in every act of justice done with dignity and care.