College of Law
Unisa Law Clinic partners with ward councillor
The community of Parow witnessed the first of what promises to be one of many impactful events as Councillor Franchesca Walker from the City of Cape Town (Ward 26) partnered with the Unisa Law Clinic to host a legal outreach programme aimed at making legal services more accessible to the public.
Unisa Law Clinic staff with Councillor Franchesca Walker and Unisa Law students
The collaboration between the Unisa Law Clinic and Councillor Walker was driven by a shared mission to break down the barriers that prevent indigent members of society from accessing legal assistance.
A growing concern over a lack of funds and the affordability of private legal representation inspired the initiative. While many in the community face serious legal challenges, the high cost of private legal representation makes justice an unreachable goal for some. This partnership seeks to change that by bringing these services to the community. The event aimed to raise awareness about the free legal support available to those who cannot afford it.
This event marked the beginning of a broader vision to expand access to legal services and promote justice for all, regardless of financial means. Parow was chosen as a starting point, but the positive response from the community and the interest shown by other ward councillors have already opened the door for further outreach in other areas. The clinic provides help with matters such as evictions, harassment, maintenance, labour, impact litigation, domestic violence, divorce and civil litigation, which are all issues that deeply affect vulnerable communities.
Unisa Law Clinic staff assisting a community member
"We want people to know they are not alone," said Walker. "Legal support is not just for those who can pay for it. Everyone deserves to be heard and helped."
The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are indigent members of the public, people who face legal difficulties but cannot afford private representation. Whether dealing with domestic issues, property disputes or other personal legal matters, the goal is to ensure that no one is left behind.
Nomonde Gxilishe, Principal Attorney at the Unisa Law Clinic in Cape Town, has confirmed that they are fully committed to expanding the services to additional wards, as there is strong interest from the respective ward councillors.
Nomonde Gxilishe, Unisa Law Clinic Principal Attorney, with Ward 26 Councillor Franchesca Walker and Aviwe Zono addressing community members
The success of this event has laid the groundwork for making this a regular and far-reaching initiative. This initiative hopes to empower community members with knowledge and access. Legal issues do not discriminate – anyone, regardless of their financial standing, can find themselves needing legal help. By bringing awareness to services like the Unisa Law Clinic, the organisers hope to ensure that justice is not reserved for the privileged few but is available to all. This was more than just a service day; it was a bold step toward equity and justice. Justice should be for everyone.
* Submitted by Thandeka Mtyali, Communication and Marketing Intern, Western Cape Region
Publish date: 2025-06-13 00:00:00.0
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Unisa Law Clinic partners with ward councillor