From the beginning of the partnership between the NHTL and the Canada Research Chair on Indigenous Peoples and Legal Diversity, the umbrella of the Legitimus project, Chief Kgoshi Makgeru was providing continuous support and valuable contribution to the ongoing research on legal pluralism.

In December 2013, he participated actively to the Canada meetings where he met with representatives from the Canadian government and Canadian indigenous leaders. The meetings were a great opportunity to share experiences on indigenous governance and the role of South Africa and Canada traditional leaders.

His visit to Canada helped also to strengthen collaboration between all the international partners and collaborators of the Legitimus project.

Reacting to the sad news, from Brisbane, Professor Ghislain Otis, the Legitimus project leader said: ‘’Chief Kgoshi Makgeru was a true pioneer in laying the foundations for innovative work on the dialogue between African customary law and South African constitutionalism.

Thanks to his rich input, in particular during a very fruitful visit to Canada where he met with Canadian indigenous leaders, the collaboration between the National House of Traditional Leaders and the academic community promises to bring about an unprecedented understanding of the development of customary law in South Africa.

I have no doubt that his contribution will continue to inspire, shape and inform our collaborative work in the forthcoming years.’’

The Legitimus team conveys its deepest sympathy to Chief Kgoshi Makgeru’s family and the NHTL team.

May his soul rest in peace.