Earlier this year, the Unisa Cape Town Campus in Parow hosted the highly anticipated Unisa Law Clinic Gala Event. The purpose of the evening was to introduce stakeholders to the Law Clinic’s FOCI Plan programmes, comprising the Moot Court Competition, Street Law and Practical Legal Skills, and also the Student Debate and Indaba.

Guests learn about the Law Clinic’s initiatives

The event presented an opportunity to explore collaborative opportunities that would enhance these programmes, thereby benefiting Unisa law students. Additionally, the event was aimed at fostering a professional network for students seeking legal employment opportunities and strengthening ties between the Unisa College of Law, the Law Clinic and practising legal professionals.

Event overview

The gala event was attended by 60 distinguished guests and stakeholders. Facilitated by Advocate Happy Nkabinde, Head of Research, Unisa Law Clinic, the evening featured a series of impactful speeches from key figures in the legal field. Though the chairperson of the Legal Practice Council was unable to attend the gala due to medical reasons, the event was marked by significant pledges and commitments from other notable speakers.

From left: Prof Angelo Dube (Director of the Unisa School of Law), Zintle Ketani (Principal Attorney, Unisa Law Clinic, Pretoria), Judge André le Grange (Acting Deputy Judge President, Western Cape High Court), Judge Patricia Goliath (Acting Judge President, Western Cape High Court), Nomonde Gxilishe (Principal Attorney, Unisa Law Clinic, Cape Town) and Advocate Happy Nkabinde (Head of Research, Unisa Law Clinic)

Highlights from the evening

• The Acting Judge President of Western Cape High Court: A major highlight was the commitment made by Judge Patricia Goliath, who pledged the support of the High Court in several crucial areas, including offering training opportunities for students, allowing students to observe court cases and hosting Moot Court events at the High Court. This support promises to greatly enhance the practical experience available to Unisa law students.
• The Senior Commissioner of the Western Cape Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), Vusumzi Landu: The Senior Commissioner expressed a willingness to formalise a collaboration with the Unisa Law Clinic. This commitment signals a promising partnership aimed at advancing the practical legal education of students through structured agreements.
• Representatives of the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA), the Cape Town Attorneys Association and the Black Lawyers Association: Speakers from these organisations underscored the importance of early involvement in student training. They committed to participating in the various programmes designed to support and develop Unisa law students from the early stages of their studies.
• The Legal Aid Board: The Legal Aid Board expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration with the Law Clinic, recognising the value and impact of their partnership.
• The Chairperson of the National Bar Council, Advocate Bafo Momoti: The chairperson challenged the Law Clinic leadership to extend their services to remote areas in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, thereby broadening the reach of their support and resources.
• Magistrate Kimla Fry: Magistrate Fry provided positive feedback on the professionalism of candidate legal practitioners, praising their conduct during court proceedings.

Participant feedback

The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Guests praised the Unisa Law Clinic for organising an event that effectively brought together stakeholders to discuss collaborative efforts for community service and student support. The event was lauded for its exceptional organisation, and student representatives from the Regional Student Representative Council (RSRC) and the Unisa Law Students Association committed to disseminating the valuable information shared during the evening to their peers.

Reflecting on a successful evening

Future goals

Looking ahead, the Unisa Law Clinic plans to continue involving stakeholders in the execution of its programmes. The intention is to reconvene with the stakeholders next year to evaluate the progress of their collaborative efforts and to further strengthen the existing partnerships.

The Unisa Law Clinic Gala Event not only facilitated valuable networking and collaboration, but also set the stage for future growth and development in the legal field. The event’s success reflects the commitment of all involved to advancing legal education and community service, and it promises to have a lasting impact on Unisa law students and beyond.

* Submitted by Lee-Anne Davids, Communication Officer, Unisa Western Cape Region