BLA leaders from nine universities under one roof at Mafikeng Campus

Scores of law students from nine universities in South Africa attended the National General Meeting of the Black Lawyers Association (BLAsc) Student Chapter, in the NWU Mafikeng Campus. This prestigious event was organised by NEC Mafikeng branch. Chaired by the BLAsc deputy president, Ziyanda Sibeko, the theme was: "The transformation and dynamics of the legal education and absorption of law graduates".

Among the dignitaries were the Campus Vice-Rector, Professor Lumkile Lalendle, the Mother-body BLA President Busani Mabunda, the newly appointed Campus SRC President, Tutu Kgobane, the BLAsc Branch Executive committee Patron of Mafikeng Campus, C Labuschagne, and the NEC deputy secretary Mafikeng branch, Modiehi Nchochoba.

President Mabunda expressed his feelings towards the changing study duration of LLB at Wits University. The university has recently endorsed a decision of the Wits School of Law to only offer the LLB degree at postgraduate level from 2015. The decision means the four-year LLB degree will no longer be offered. According to President Mabunda's view, this gives a negative access to the profession and limits a majority of financially disadvantage blacks to the profession.

The law students were moved by the campus Vice-Rector's speech, Prof Lalendle. In his speech he talked about graduate attribution and entrepreneurial skills, focusing on self-drive, team spirit and critical thinking. Prof Lalendle also highlighted that law students must start to think of creating jobs for others, by establishing their own black lawyers' firms. Prof Lalendle also shared that Mafikeng Campus strives to encourage its employees to further their studies to the highest level. According to him, the campus is among universities in South Africa with a high number of good lecturers, most of whom have acquired their PhDs.