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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

Walk to Cape Town closes on high note

2014-06-03

Photo Gallery of arrival in Cape Town
Dagbreek interview (kykNet) (YouTube)
Thank you from all UFS students (YouTube)

It was a gruelling road totalling a distance of 1 038 km, but the UFS #NSHstride team completed the challenge of walking all the way to Cape Town.

On Thursday 1 May 2014, Adéle van Aswegen and Ntokozo Nkabinde, both from the UFS, took on the road to Cape Town on foot in order to highlight the problem of food insecurity among students at the UFS.

Two kind-hearted Bloemfontein residents, Nico Piedt and Ronél Warner, tackled the journey together with them, not only to draw the country’s attention to food insecurity, but also to raise money to address the problem.

The hike, known as the No Student Hungry 1000/33 stride (or #NSHstride), came to an end at the St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town on Tuesday 3 June 2014.

About R500 000 were raised before, during and after the foursome’s hike.

The NSH bursary, established in 2011 by Prof Jonathan Jansen, the Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, and Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, aims to put food insecurity among students at the UFS under the spotlight.

Rudi Buys, Dean of Student Affairs, says: “We are completely inspired by the victory of a 1 000 km with one step at a time – as it reminds us of the courage of our students who beat hunger one day at a time.”

“The stride team challenges us to change our world for the better every day. We hope to continue their victory for students by challenging all universities to join the struggle for food security and will call a colloquium in this regard in October.”

These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)
“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers (15 May 2014)
UFS hikers to Cape Town reflect on their journey (Article of 26 May 2014)

Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 33: 2 June 2014
13:40
20 km
Sunset Beach, Cape Town

Day 32: 1 June 2014
16:05
26 km
Mervyn and Sanet Wessels, Belville

Day 31: 31 May 2014
16:31
39.6 km
Rhonell and Gavin Julain, Paarl

Day 30: 30 May 2014
14:00
16 km
Monte Rosa, Rawsonville

Day 29: 29 May 2014
13:16
31 km
The Habit, Worcester

Day 28: 28 May 2014
11:00
22.4 km
Monte Roza, De doorns

Day 27: 27 May 2014
17:00
21.1 km
Karoo Hotel

Day 26: 26 May 2014
18:27
43.3 km
Tows river

Day 25: 25 May 2014
12:18
Lord Milner Hotel, Matjiesfontein

Day 24: 24 May 2014
16:30
42 km
Laingsburg Country Lodge

Day 23: 23 May 2014
17:32
41.8 km
Vergenoeg

Day 22: 22 May 2014
16:42
43 km
Assendelft Lodge and Bush Camp, Prins Albert

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm

Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels

Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond

Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)

Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge

Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover

Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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