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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

Full week of graduation ceremonies at UFS in April

2015-04-10

Autumn always sees the UFS’s first graduation ceremony of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus.

From 14 – 17 April 2015, graduates will once again be rewarded for their hard work while top speakers will address them in the Callie Human Centre. There will be a ceremony at 09:00 and at 14:30 each day on all four days of the graduation.

The programme for the 2015 April Graduation is as follows:

Tuesday 14 April 2015:

Professor Himla Soodyall will be the speaker at both ceremonies on this day. Prof Soodyall is a Medical Scientist for the South African Institute for Medical Research. She is also a Principal Medical Scientist for the National Health Laboratory Service, and a Director for the Human Genome Diversity and Disease Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand.

During the first ceremony of the day at 09:00, all diplomas/certificates and B degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded. Only Honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Wednesday 15 April 2015:

Wednesday will see Ndumiso Hadebe take the stage to address graduates at both ceremonies.

At the age of 23, Hadebe is the Founder and Managing Director of Master Frontiers Consulting, a firm that capacitates leaders and managers to achieve business goals through their people. He worked previously as a Researcher at Shanduka Black Umbrellas, a flagship enterprise and supplier development programme of the Shanduka Foundation.

He has been received numerous awards for excellence in leadership, such as the Sedibeng District Municipal Mayor’s Award for Service and Leadership. He is a Brand South Africa Ambassador and Read Educational Trust Ambassador.

All diplomas/certificates, B and Honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, except B Com degrees, will be awarded during the morning ceremony at 09:00. Later, at the 14:30 ceremony, only B Com degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will be awarded.

Thursday 16 April 2015:

Multiple award winning South African TV presenter, Leanne Manas, will be the speaker at both Thursday ceremonies.

Manas has graced our screens for over a decade. Not many broadcasters can boast having had live TV experience, 5 days a week for 12 years. She is currently the anchor of SABC 2’s flagship breakfast programme, Morning Live. Leanne is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher. having studied at London Trinity College. She also has an Honours degree in English.
Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication Sciences will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. The 14:30 ceremony will have diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities’ other qualifications except for Social Sciences and Communication Sciences.

Friday 17 April 2015:

Dr Maria Phalime will be the speaker at both ceremonies on Friday.

Phalime is a medical doctor and award-winning author. She practiced for a brief period as a general practitioner in South Africa and the United Kingdom, before leaving medical practice to pursue non-clinical interests. She has worked in trade and investment promotion, and has undertaken research and consulting in the areas of economic development and business facilitation.

Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of Education (CE, NPDE and ACE excluded) will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law, and Theology will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Click here for the simple layout of the 2015 April Graduation programme:
http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/2014-graduation-ceremony/graduation-ceremony

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