‘South Africa is a country of great possibilities’ – Chief Justice Raymond Zondo

Akani Nkuna

Outgoing Chief Justice Raymond Zondo was full of gratitude for the people of South Africa, his friends, colleagues and his family to whom he dedicated his success.

Reflecting upon his humble beginnings, as a poverty-stricken boy from the rural areas he noted that South Africa is full of endless possibilities.

Zondo spoke of how his unkind upbringing in abject poverty did not kill his dreams and desire to make it in life. Rather, he embraced it, and it is partly because of his past that he is the man he is today – a family man and one whom many have said has integrity and principled.

“A boy who fetched water from the spring, put a bucket of water on his head, climbed a hill to take it to the family home so that the family can cook and wash.

“A boy who looked after goats and cattle,