The College of Law congratulates Rikho Tendani Musekwa, who recently received a Master of Laws in Jurisprudence at the autumn 2025 graduation. His research topic focuses on how the responsibility to protect (R2P) norm is implemented in African jurisdictions through the lens of Ubuntu, offering a culturally grounded perspective on preventing atrocities such as genocide, war crimes and ethnic cleansing. 

Musekwa credits his supervisor, Prof Angelo Dube, whose guidance and dedication have profoundly influenced his academic journey. He further says that his hunger for knowledge and education has been a driving force in his life. He says that having been raised by his grandmother after losing his parents, "I have always seen education as my only true inheritance – a key that can unlock doors of opportunity and transform my future. I firmly believe that God and my ancestors continue to bless me with the resilience and strength to pursue this path. For me, education is a means of liberating myself and my sibling from poverty and hardship and a powerful tool to inspire and uplift other young African children who, like me, dare to dream beyond their circumstances."

When asked what this accolade means to him, he says: "This achievement holds profound significance for me and my family. It restores our dignity and brings light during times of darkness. It offers hope, it honours and reclaims the dignity of my late parents, and it serves as a source of motivation. Beyond personal pride, it fosters trust and confidence within our family and community, symbolising resilience and the promise of a brighter future."

Musekwa says that reaching the milestone of completing a master’s degree has profoundly transformed his perspective on life, learning and leadership. He explains: "It has taught me that learning is a continuous journey that extends far beyond formal education, requiring humility, curiosity and resilience. I now understand that knowledge is about intellectual achievement and how it can be applied to bring about meaningful change in society."

He continues: "From a leadership perspective, this journey has reinforced the importance of empathy, collaboration and ethical decision-making. It has shown me that effective leadership involves listening to diverse voices, especially those marginalised by dominant systems, and using one’s skills and influence to serve others. Most importantly, it has deepened my commitment to pursuing justice, transformation and inclusive solutions that uplift communities, reaffirming that education is not just personal empowerment but a tool for collective progress."

Musekwa says that the only advice he would offer is to never pay heed to those with a negative mindset. "The truth is that the strongest and most vibrant flowers can still bloom, even when planted in concrete."

Future aspirations

He comments on his aspirations: "I plan to use my qualifications to contribute meaningfully to both my field and society by engaging in teaching, research, policy development and advocacy. As an aspiring academic and legal scholar, I aim to educate and mentor future legal professionals, emphasising the importance of socially responsive law that integrates global standards and indigenous African philosophies such as ubuntu. Through continued research, I intend to contribute to developing legal frameworks that are decolonised, inclusive and tailored to address pressing issues like human rights, sovereignty and conflict resolution, particularly within the African context. Beyond academia, I seek to collaborate with governments, regional bodies like the African Union and SADC, and civil society organisations to shape policies that advance justice, accountability and sustainable peace. My goal is to use my knowledge and skills to influence legal systems in a way that protects vulnerable communities, promotes ethical governance and fosters a more just and humane society."

Musekwa works for the College of Law in the Department of Public Constitutional and International Law.

* By Ngwako Mokgotho, Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Law