Front, Prof OS Sibanda, (Acting Director: School of Law), Prof. Rushiella Songca (ED: CLAW), Prof. Melodie Slabbert (Deputy Executive Dean: CLAW), Prof. Kris Pillay (Director: School of Criminal Justice), and Hadley Saayman (Head: Unisa Law Clinic); and back, Chairs and Student Indaba Committees: S Dimba, M Morolane, B Maboki, and K Msimang
More than 400 College of Law (CLAW) students attended the second annual Student Indaba on 7 March 2013 at Unisa. Present at the indaba were Professor Rushiella Songca, the Executive Dean; Professor Melodie Slabbert, the Deputy Executive Dean; Professor Kris Pillay, the Director of the School of Criminal Justice; and Professor Omphemetse Sibanda, the acting Director of the School of Law. In attendance were also chairs of departments, academic members of departments and the Head of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Sunette Lotter.
The event is a spin-off of the joint commitment of the college and its student population to work closely and to ensure successful achievement of the core business of the college. Indaba is a Zulu word for the concept of “seeking knowledge”, and, in her welcoming address, Songca imparted knowledge on various matters that affect students in both schools. These included opportunities for students in the college and a number of initiatives that the college will be introducing to promote the best interest of the students.
Songca indicated that for the first time in the history of CLAW, students will be given the opportunity to benefit from research awards, including the Barney Pityana Award for African Law. Furthermore, Songca expressed the commitment of the college to take the concept of Grow Your Own Timber to a distinctive level, which will include talent development and attraction from the college’s pool of students. These students will be mentored and groomed for both the academic and professional career paths.
As one of the largest colleges of law on the African continent and perhaps ranking amongst the largest in the world, such initiative will go a long way in addressing the graduateness of students completing their qualifications from both the School of Justice and the School of Law. The Dean further mentioned that collaboration breakfasts would be held with various law firms and related professions.
Others presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session, were followed with keen interest. Commercial publishers and the legal profession were also invited to the Indaba. The law firm, Edward, Nathan and Sonnenbergs, exhibited some of the opportunities the firm offers to students after completion of their qualification. LexisNexis, one of the book publishers, held an exhibition on a range of books and other learning materials that they have on offer.
The Student Indaba has grown significantly as far as student participation and standard are concerned. Students expressed their appreciation for the synergy illustrated between the College and the students. They also appreciated the fact that their concerns are taken seriously by College Management.
The Student Indaba would not have been possible without the hard work of some of the College’s students who served on the organising committee.
*Submitted by Lessiah Mtshweni
Students and delegates get into the swing of the Indaba.
