Beloved magistrate leaves a lasting legacy

Nigel bade farewell to a respected pillar of its legal community – magistrate and judicial head, Maretha Froneman (63).

Froneman started her career as a public prosecutor on February 2, 1988, at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court and continued in Nigel from November 1989.

On July 1, 1991, she was appointed as an additional magistrate in Nigel and on December 1, 1999, as the senior magistrate and judicial head of the Nigel Magisterial District.

Froneman is the youngest of three children. She was born in Clarens but moved at the age of two to a rural area called Heatonville in the district of Ntambanana, a small community close to Empangeni.

There she enrolled at Empangeni primary and secondary schools and matriculated at Empangeni High school.

After completing school, she enrolled as a law student at the University of the Free state’s law faculty where she completed her B Iuris degree.

In 1999 she obtained her LLB degree and on November 30, 1999 both her and her husband Louis were admitted as advocates.

Froneman resigned as judicial head of the Nigel Magisterial District and vacated the post on November 30, 2024.

A farewell ceremony attended by local dignitaries, fellow judges and court staff was held on January 24 at the AGS Aquila Church in Nigel.

The farewell ceremony was a testament to the profound impact she has had on the community she so faithfully served.

She is known for her fair-mindedness, compassion, and meticulous attention to justice and was described as a beacon of hope and stability in Nigel.

Highly ranked legal and court officials attended the ceremony and speakers used words like mentor, exceptional leader, teacher, legend and humble to describe her.

“She is leaving a legacy of respect, humanity and discipline with a passion for judicial and service delivery. She will be dearly missed,” said Olebogeng Mokgosane, the farewell’s programme director.

In her speech, Froneman thanked her husband Louis, to whom she has been married for 36 years, and their children Noelle, Duard and Marlou, for their patience, understanding and moral support for the love she had for her job as she had to work late hours on many occasions.

“I enjoyed my career as a magistrate and really enjoyed presiding in court. It was satisfying to see that some of the children who appeared before me in Children’s Court and were exposed to dire circumstances developed into responsible adults. The same applies to adoptions. There are so many vulnerable children in our communities.

Witnessing a suitable placement and a positive outcome was the best reward one could expect,” Froneman said and added that a magistrate’s work is never done. “You are always on duty even if you are on holiday or after hours. Very few people appreciate this.

“I recall how I was asked for advice whilst standing in a parking lot in Ballito about a criminal case that I had no knowledge of. Or running into a Children’s Court child whilst spending time with my family at the coast and getting a spontaneous hug from a grateful child.

It also caused many uncomfortable situations, for example when a member of the public wanted to discuss the intimate details of their private affairs whilst waiting at the bread counter to purchase fresh bread,” she said.

She spoke with dearness of her colleagues who acted as mentors, especially in the earlier years of her career. She referred to Ockert Buys who was her first head of office.

After her appointment as an additional magistrate and his retirement he often assisted as an acting magistrate whenever there was a vacancy. His wisdom, kindness, and sense of humour she described as legendary.

She also spoke about Faan Van Heerden who was previously attached to the Judicial Quality Inspectorate and imparted his knowledge to critically assess the quality of judicial work. Froneman was appointed as judicial head after he retired.

Another dear friend and colleague she mentioned is the former Judicial Head of Office of Heidelberg, Kiewiet De Bruin. She spoke about his levelheaded input in those instances when she needed sound advice or moral support during difficult situations.

“I will be eternally grateful for his contribution to my personal and professional life,” she said.

Having a close relationship with other judicial heads such as Hero Du Plessis from Thembisa, Marie Parson from Brakpan and Mary-Anne Du Plessis from Boksburg was also invaluable for her.

“In addition, the professional relationship with the Regional Magistrate, Juan Voogt , was exceptional. Regional Magistrates and Magistrates in the district court are seldom associated with each other. Nigel was the exception to the rule. We could exchange ideas and support each other whenever the need arose,” she said.

Froneman has been a resident of Nigel for the past 34 years. She loves Nigel and the and its people and never considered her position as just a means to an income, but a calling.

The district covers a diversity of communities and people. It was very important to her that all communities knew that they would be treated fairly and that they would be heard and assisted.

Thus, it was important to get to know them irrespective of whether they were residents of Devon, Duduza, Jameson Park, Alra Park, Mackensieville, Nigel Town or the rural areas in the Nigel district.

Serving the communities meant that a good relationship needed to exist between all role players.

“No court can function and fulfill its mandate to serve the community without maintaining a good relationship and co-operation from the SAPS, Ekurhuleni Metro, Department of Correctional Service, Department of Social Development, Home Affairs, Immigration, community NGO”s, the Legal Fraternity, National Prosecuting Authority, the Administration and language services of the Department of Justice.

I wish to thank them all for their willingness to always assist. It was and will remain a concerted effort from all role players to keep the justice system functioning effectively,” Froneman added and continued by saying that it was never her intention to retire. It was always part of her future to be actively involved in the legal field. The question she was grappling with was how this would manifest practically.

On the last day of work (November 29, 2024), Jean- Pierre Okes from Kruger and Okes Attorneys contacted her requesting her to consider a new career at the firm.

After a lot of soul searching and careful consideration, she accepted his offer.

“I started a new career on January 6 at Kruger and Okes Attorneys and look forward to a great future with the firm,” she said.

Froneman thanked the community and all the role players for their support. It was not always an easy task to keep the wheels of justice turning.

The lack of sufficient support in terms of manpower and other services often made it difficult to meet the expectations of those in need.

She expressed her confidence that staff members that are still part of the establishment have the potential to maintain professional service delivery.

It must never be forgotten that each member of staff is there to provide support, guidance and assistance to the community.

She encouraged each member of staff and all the role players contributing to the system to continue to doing their best as it will benefit all.

The event was attended by local dignitaries, fellow judges, court staff, and numerous residents whose lives were touched by her service. Many took to the podium to share anecdotes and memories, painting a picture of a leader who was not only a formidable presence in the courtroom but also a kind and approachable figure outside of it.

“Maretha Froneman’s legacy is one of unwavering commitment to justice and the community. She has inspired many of us to pursue fairness and compassion in our own lives,” said Okes during his tribute.

“It has been my greatest honour to serve this community. I am humbled by the love and respect I have received, and I hope I have left a positive impact that will be remembered,” Froneman concluded