---
title: "So long, Justice Cameron"
description: "Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron delivered his final judgment yesterday and bowed out in an emotional, loving and warm goodbye in a special sitting led by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Maverick Citizen"
author: "James Oatway"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/james-oatway/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-08-21-so-long-justice-cameron/"
published: "2019-08-21T01:09:56"
updated: "2019-09-01T13:54:50"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 263
---

# So long, Justice Cameron

> Constitutional Court Justice Edwin Cameron delivered his final judgment yesterday and bowed out in an emotional, loving and warm goodbye in a special sitting led by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

By James Oatway · Published 21 August 2019, 03:09 SAST · Updated 1 September 2019, 15:54 SAST

## Content

Photojournalist James Oatway joined Cameron in his chambers a few hours before his final sitting and captured the special moments he shared with his colleagues and friends. Cameron was [hailed on Tuesday](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2019-08-20-justice-edwin-cameron-urges-fight-for-constitutional-values-as-he-steps-down-from-the-bench/) as a courageous South African who has continually stood up for the rights of the marginalised in society and upheld the Constitution with his integrity and intellect during his 25 years as a judge and more than 11 years in the Constitutional Court. In this tribute to Cameron, the images tell their own story. **DM**

![Justice Edwin Cameron at his desk for the final time on his last day of work as a judge in South Africa's Constitutional Court. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/caurvi2S8Xdeo1vAxsXqh690OaQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-01.jpg)

*Justice Edwin Cameron at his desk for the final time on his last day of work as a judge in South Africa's Constitutional Court. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Justice Cameron plays with his great-niece Linda before his farewell ceremony. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/o3Qm6f6R6P6hpDVwlrQny9p7Qe8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-02.jpg)

*Justice Cameron plays with his great-niece Linda before his farewell ceremony. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Justice Cameron hugs Dikgang Moseneke. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/HEoSt_gEXTS1LChI_Z0jfMrYshk=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-03.jpg)

*Justice Cameron hugs former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Retired Justice Edwin Cameron. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/kMLeLbVvr_7uTJJlRA55riKF4Ic=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-04.jpg)

*Justice Cameron puts on his robe for the final time. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Final notes on the final judgment to be delivered on Justice Cameron's last day at the Constitutional Court. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/uHFmhKfTofDmmkiaPejvkUPFbYc=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-05.jpg)

*Final notes on the final judgment to be delivered on Justice Cameron's last day at the Constitutional Court. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Justice Cameron greets retired Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/VoJrDVZcYeUwM9UQB70aaRIue44=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-06.jpg)

*Justice Cameron greets retired Constitutional Court Justice Albie Sachs. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Justice Cameron delivers his final judgment. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/rIK9oVjDXkhg1AmFVJv4IecbtMs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-07.jpg)

*Justice Cameron delivers his final judgment. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![Justice Cameron seated with his Constitutional Court colleagues. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/LPFsHpy3tyuM1LqTOcQAxbWoGc8=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-08.jpg)

*Justice Cameron seated with his Constitutional Court colleagues. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![20 August 2019: The public gallery was packed for Justice Edwin Cameron's last day of work as a judge in South Africa's Constitutional Court. Picture: James Oatway](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/WcedsoQNkHpb6AXVXMnZGu419C4=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/cameron_oatway_155x.jpg)

*20 August 2019: The public gallery was packed for Justice Edwin Cameron's last day of work as a judge in South Africa's Constitutional Court. Picture: James Oatway*

![Justice Cameron and fellow Constitutional Court justices at his farewell ceremony. (Picture: James Oatway)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/2iy_jsbMo-cOnbaWYxd2MBEhI5E=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-10.jpg)

*Justice Cameron and fellow Constitutional Court justices at his farewell ceremony. (Picture: James Oatway)*

![20 August 2019: Justice Edwin Cameron's last day of work as a judge in South Africa's Constitutional Court. Picture: James Oatway](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/M_e_iUplLjIlZW_O61Ttjo_Robo=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/oatway-Edwin-bow-out-11.jpg)

*Justice Cameron gestures to wellwishers and colleagues at his Constitutional Court farewell ceremony. (Picture: James Oatway)*