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01 June 2018 Photo Mamosa Makaya
Dialogue on LGBTIQ rights in the legal profession reveals slow progress
Justice Edwin Cameron, Sivuyile Mphatheni and Maralize Conradie

The Black Lawyers Association, in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at the University of the Free State (UFS), held a public dialogue on the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community in the legal profession on 25 May, on the Bloemfontein Campus. On the panel were prominent activists for LGBTIQ+ rights, Justice Edwin Cameron, Judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa; Maralize Conradie, UFS lecturer in Mercantile Law; and Sivuyile Mphatheni, a Law student and member of the Black Lawyers Association.

Liberal but not yet free
The Constitution of South Africa is considered to be one of the most liberal and inclusive in Africa and the world by protecting the rights of same-sex partnerships pertaining to family rights; marriage and adoption. Yet despite these provisions LGBTIQ+ legal professionals still experience discrimination in the workplace. “The LGBTIQ+ community should be regarded as a demonstration of the complexity of human nature, rather than a minority group,” said Conradie. She said the shift in mind-set could allow for more open dialogue, sharing of knowledge, building of trust, and upholding the rights of minority people. Speaking on behalf of law students, Sivuyile Mphatheni said that despite the many victories, there was still a long way to go to achieving full equality for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Discrimination still holding back society
Speaking to students from all walks of life, Justice Cameron gave a breakdown of various forms of discrimination and the effects they have on the human pysche. Actions such as racism, sexism, sexual harassment, the stigma of people living with HIV/Aids, and the upholding patriarchy in society all infringe on the rights of others, causing a society that is fraught with fear, hate and pain.
  
“South Africa is one of the most progressive countries in Africa regarding human rights, including freedom of speech,” said Justice Cameron. He added that unlike in some African countries where same-sex relationships are still criminalised, the youth of South Africa have a voice. He therefore encouraged students to use it to become change agents, and to eradicate discrimination of all forms.

The Black Lawyers Association, as thought leaders, held the event as a call to action to the entire UFS community to begin to sensitise those around them to the plight of the LGBTIQ+ in the law profession and in society as a whole.

News Archive

New examination dates for the Main and Additional End-of-year examination timetables
2016-10-24

New dates:

Main Examination: 24 November 2016–14 December 2016
Please note that the timetables will be published on Friday 28 October 2016

Additional examination: 4 January 2017–16 January 2017
Please note that the timetable will be published on Friday 4 November 2016
 
The new Main and Additional examination timetables will be published on these dates on the UFS website.
 
Students can thereafter obtain personal examination timetables on Student Self-service.
 
Communication will be sent to staff and students once the new timetable is published.
 
Note 1 (Deviations from above):
The currently published Main examination timetable is still applicable for the week 24-28 October 2016, but only for modules which made specific arrangements to deviate from the above Main and Additional examination periods.
 
Some of the faculties/departments with specific arrangements include, but are not limited to: Faculty of Health Sciences, the Business School, Department of Quantity Surveying, ACE/NPDE modules, certain postgraduate modules in the Faculty of Education, etc.
 
Please consult the department for your respective modules if clarification or confirmation is required.
 
Note 2 (Graduations):
Due to the above changes, the Graduation ceremonies, which were originally to be held in April 2017, have been postponed to June/July 2017 (Specific dates will be confirmed once arrangements have been finalised).

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Brand Management)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loader@ufs.ac.za
Fax: +27 51 444 6393

 

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