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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

Interpreting implemented at UFS residences

2007-10-12

The University of the Free State (UFS) has begun to implement interpreting services at student residence meetings on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein, as part of the management of diversity and the racial integration of its residences.

As a pilot project, the interpreting services are being offered since the third term at Emily Hobhouse and Roosmaryn ladies residences, where a significant racial diversity already is present. From next year this service will be extended to all the student residences on the Main Campus.

The interpreting project is being managed by the Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice at the UFS.

“Students in training at the Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice and senior interpreters from the UFS are currently interpreting during residence meetings,” said Prof. Jackie Naudé, Departmental Chairperson of the UFS’s Department of Afro-asiatic Studies, Sign Language and Language Practice.

“Students in these residences are given the opportunity to be trained to interpret during their residence meetings. Four students from each hostel are being trained as interpreters,” said Prof. Naudé.

According to Prof. Naudé both residences have meetings that take place on a Monday evening at 22:00. Interpreting is also provided at the first-year students’ meetings at Emily Hobhouse on Tuesday evenings.

The interpreters experience the interpreting at the residences as positively and they experience that students often do utilise this service. At Roosmaryn 16-18 students are utilising the interpreting service, while at Emily Hobhouse approximately 18 students are utilising the service.

“The interpreting service definitely contributes to the enhancement of communication during residence meetings. Students can exactly follow what is happening during the meetings. In the past a residences like Emily Hobhouse tried to repeat everything in English, which extended the meetings,” Prof. Naudé said.

With the envisaged extension of interpreting services in hostel meetings to all the hostels on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein, there is a need for interpreters as these meetings will take place simultaneously. Through this initiative, exiting new opportunities are created for aspiring interpreters. The training takes place under leadership of Prof. Annelie Lotriet who holds the ATKV Chair in Interpreting in the department.

Aspiring candidates can contact Mr Cobus Snyman, Manager of the UFS’s interpreting projects at 051 401 9005 in connection with the selection criteria for interpreters.

Media Release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Assistant Director: Media Liaison
Tel: 051 401 2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@ufs.ac.za
14 October 2007

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