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Empowering future female legal practitioners

19 September 2023 | Story Valentino Ndaba | Photo Quinter Onyango

High Court Tour — The Free State High Court hosted a Women's Month educational tour for UFS female students.

"It is significant to reflect that it was just more than 100 years since women were allowed to practice law. The first female legal practitioners being admitted in the early 1920s. A celebration of Women's Month acknowledges the many victories for equality and social justice that women practising in the legal profession have contributed and continue to contribute," said Dr Anthea-Lee September-Van Huffel, Private Law Lecturer in the University of the Free State (UFS) Faculty of Law, as she reflected on the importance of commemorating Women's Month.

To conclude the celebration, the faculty collaborated with the Free State High Court to organise a tour, affording a group of UFS female students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the practical aspects of civil litigation by observing court proceedings in the Free State High Court.

A glimpse into the legal world

The students engaged with judges, advocates, and attorneys, addressing challenges confronting the legal profession, including issues related to mental health post-qualification. Judge Nokuthula Daniso emphasised during the proceedings, "A career in the legal profession is highly demanding. Your passion, proficiency, and diligence are your armour."

Salomie Kichele, a third-year Law student, was among the participants of the tour. She described the experience as the highlight of her year, saying, "Observing the intricacies of the legal system, from courtroom processes to the dynamics between judges, attorneys, and others, was truly fascinating. However, what truly stood out was gaining access to the judge's chamber, a privilege that is usually restricted. Being able to engage the judge with questions about her journey to becoming a judge, especially as a woman, was inspirational. Being inside the judge's chamber, surrounded by South African law books, highlighted the level of expertise required of our judges when dealing with cases. This experience further motivated me to continue nurturing my passion for reading."

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

For Kichele, this exposure to the High Court and interaction with judges, advocates, and attorneys provided clarity regarding the expectations placed upon her as a future legal practitioner. It bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom and the practical application of the law. By witnessing real cases and observing legal professionals in action, Law students gain a deeper understanding of the legal system's intricacies and the nuances of courtroom dynamics.

"Such exposure helped me identify the specialisation I would like to pursue in the legal field and fuelled my determination to pursue it. Furthermore, being within the High Court environment highlighted the need for more female judges. Experiencing this can serve as a motivating force for women aspiring to become judges one day," Kichele added.

Bloemfontein's legal legacy

The UFS Faculty of Law enjoys an advantageous location in Bloemfontein, renowned as a central hub for numerous high-profile legal cases, primarily because it houses the Supreme Court of Appeal. Furthermore, the faculty takes pride in the fact that several of its academic staff members have, over the years, served as acting judges in the Bloemfontein High Court. Consequently, the Faculty of Law remains dedicated to nurturing and fortifying its ties within the legal profession.

News Archive

Living proof of transformation

2012-07-18

Prof. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela (middle) facilitated a dialogue with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Prof. Mark Solms on the Transformation in the Solms-Delta Wine Estate.
Photo: Johan Roux
18 July 2012

“We have the capacity to make a success of South Africa. We have incredible people who refuse to leave the country and want to make a difference.” This is according to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu who was speaking at the University of the Free State (UFS) today.

Dr Tutu took part in a dialogue with Prof. Mark Solms, owner of the Solms-Delta wine estate in Franschhoek.Prof. Solms is also an A-rated scholar and the Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Cape Town.The theme of the dialogue was “Living Reconciliation: Winds of Change in Franschhoek and Transformation at Solms-Delta Wine Estate”.

Prof. Solms led an initiative to transform the lives of farm workers on the estate through the Wijn-de Caab Trust. This initiative was extended to empower the wider community of farm dwellers when Prof. Solms co-founded the Delta Trust and the Franschhoek Valley Transformation Charter.

The dialogue was the second in the Dialogue between Science and Society series and was facilitated by Prof. Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Senior research professor on Trauma, Forgiveness and Reconciliation at the UFS. The Dialogue series aims to inspire new ways of thinking about responsible citizenship. It also highlights the unique and important ways of engaging with the critical issues of social equality, social justice, social transformation and reconciliation in South Africa.This morning Dr Tutu said the work done in the Franschhoek community is proof that people cannot prosper alone if others are also not prospering. “We belong together. Why did it take us so long to realise it? South Africans have the capacity to make South Africa a better place. It is unacceptable that people go hungry and go to school under trees. It is unacceptable that they still have no books in the third term, and that the pass rate is 30%.

“Is this why we struggled, why people died? We want to go to our graves smiling… we will not be allowed peace and stability if we do not attend to the problems.”

Prof. Solms said the miracle of the political transformation did not trickle down to the people. A lot has been done, but much more needs to be done. “It can only be done by us. It is not the government’s responsibility. The way we live as a result of apartheid is that we are a deeply divided society. We must recognise this and do something to change it.”

He encouraged people to think “small”. An individual cannot change the whole country, but the changes in his community are there to see.

Dr Tutu also congratulated the UFS on becoming a truly South African university, recognising the transformation of the past few years.

The dialogue was presented at the Global Leadership Summit that 250 students and academic leaders from 21 international universities are participating in. The summit runs until Friday 20 July 2012.

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