Mafikeng Campus hosts deputy Minister of Justice

The Faculty of Law together with the Law Student Council played host to the Honourable Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional development, Mr John Jeffery, on Friday, 19 September. The Deputy Minister was invited to present a public lecture on the topic of 20 years of Constitutional Democracy, Exploring the legal Education and Ethics.

The venue was filled to capacity with aspiring law and non-law students with an interest in social justice. The Rector, flanked by Campus management, high profile guests as well as traditional leaders were in attendance as Hon. John Jeffery presented the much anticipated and affluent lecture on Prof Carmen Nathan.

The aim and objective of the lecture was to share with students the background of Prof Nathan who served as chair in the then University of Bophuthatswana, along with a personal account of her road to being a woman in law practice.

In his lecture he touched on several issues concerning the law practice in and out of the country and how women, particularly in Africa, are still not afforded the opportunity to reach their true potential in the law discipline. He highlighted many shortfalls regarding law education in the country and how some institutions' graduates are more preferable than others, saying that it shouldn't be the case if all students are exposed to equal and balanced legal training institutions. He also reiterated that the extension of the law programme from four to five years will be beneficial to the law practice in this regard.

He spoke out strongly about the rule of ethical conduct and that practitioners must follow proper channels of protocol and commented on the increase of cases against attorneys due to unethical conduct and even law contravening incidents.

The lecture ended on a very high note after an exhilarating interactive question and answer session between the deputy minister and attendees.

The Campus Rector, Prof Davhana-Maselesele, gave her thanks to the Deputy Minister and the law students for inviting the Minister and all those who attended the event.