College of Law
Law fraternities engage with students at ULSA orientation event
In the run-up to the official opening ceremony of the university, taking place on 14 February 2025, the Unisa Law Students Association (ULSA) hosted a highly successful student-welcoming and orientation event on 7 February 2025, at the Sunnyside Campus, which featured discussions between law students and Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Mpfariseni Budeli-Nemakonde, Executive Dean of the College of Law, Dr Alice Mkuzangwe, Director of Student Administration and Registration, the National Student Representative Council (NSRC), members of the Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter, and other legal professionals.
Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Dr Alice Mkuzangwe, Director: Student Administration and Registration, and Prof Mpfariseni Budeli-Nemakonde, Executive Dean: College of Law, flanked by students and the university’s extended management at the Sunnyside Campus
President of the NSRC Nkosinathi Mabilane outlined that the event featured thought-provoking discussions and interactive sessions, whereby the VC deepened participants' understanding of key legal issues. In addition, the VC motivated first-year law students on what to expect studying through the university’s open-distance and e-Learning (ODeL) teaching and learning modality.
"In response," said Mabilane, "the students expressed enthusiasm, and active participation from attendees demonstrated the programme's impact, fostering critical thinking and opportunities within the university community. The success of this initiative highlights the dedication and excellence of our law students in promoting legal education and discourse."
Speaking next, Mkuzangwe said that the event provided an opportunity to engage with new and returning students to ready them for success as the academic calendar commences. She added: "The objective of this event was to orientate the new student cohort studying with the College of Law on how to conduct themselves, and the structures that they should approach should they have concerns. Together with the VC, we managed to address their challenges and note some of their issues."
Members of the Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter, with Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor (middle), Nkosinathi Mabilane, President of the NSRC (second from right) and Prof Mpfariseni Budeli-Nemakonde, Executive Dean: College of Law (first from right)
Mkuzangwe urged students with academic enquiries to use the provided e-mail addresses, and also the university’s call centre and social media, stressing that oftentimes, without the use of these channels, students fall prey to predatory scammers falsely advertising the university’s services.
Third-year law student Mmathabo Tloome shared that the event offered students a platform to voice their challenges to the university’s management, and to forge relationships with fellow law students. Of utmost concern to students, said Tloome, was finding ways to gain student debt relief so they can have access to their results early on in the year.
The event's success underscores ULSA's commitment to advancing legal education and discourse within the university, while underpinning the significance of student orientation in the ODeL environment.
* By Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement, with additional reporting by Unisa Radio
Publish date: 2025/02/13
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