Unisa law student takes top honours in essay competition

Lukhona Marele, a BCom Law student at Unisa, has been awarded first place in the Judges Matter Essay Competition, earning national recognition for exceptional legal scholarship and original research.

Background to the competition

The Judges Matter Essay Competition stands as one of South Africa's most distinguished academic competitions, designed to promote excellence in legal writing and constitutional scholarship amongst university students nationwide.

Established to encourage critical engagement with pressing constitutional and legal issues, the competition attracts participants from leading universities across the country, providing a platform for emerging legal scholars to make meaningful contributions to jurisprudential discourse.

The competition operates under the auspices of a distinguished panel of judges drawn from the judiciary and academia, ensuring that submissions are evaluated against the highest standards of legal scholarship. This year's judging panel included Judge Lee Bozalek and Professor Hugh Corder, both renowned figures in South African constitutional law, whose expertise ensures a rigorous assessment of the submitted works.

Summary of the winning essay

Marele’s winning essay, titled "Court in the Crossfire: Judicial Independence Amidst Political Turmoil," examines how South Africa's judiciary can maintain independence during periods of political volatility, whilst upholding constitutional values. The paper argues that preserving judicial independence requires a multifaceted approach encompassing institutional safeguards, ethical judicial conduct, public legitimacy-building and supportive political culture.

Motivation and competition experience

Marele comments as follows:

My motivation for participating in this competition stemmed from a profound love of research, as well as the intellectual challenge of engaging with complex constitutional questions. The opportunity to contribute to scholarly discourse on judicial independence – a cornerstone of South Africa's constitutional democracy – proved irresistible, particularly given the contemporary relevance of these issues within our political landscape.

The experience of researching and authoring this essay proved transformative, demanding rigorous engagement with primary sources, comparative jurisprudence, and sophisticated legal analysis. The process required synthesising vast amounts of material whilst maintaining analytical clarity and coherent argumentation throughout. This intellectual exercise enhanced my understanding not only of judicial independence but also of the broader constitutional framework underpinning South Africa's democratic order.

The competition experience reinforced my appreciation for the importance of original scholarship in advancing legal understanding. The requirement to engage critically with existing literature whilst developing novel insights proved challenging yet rewarding, demonstrating the value of independent intellectual inquiry in legal education.

Whilst I deeply appreciate the recognition and prize accompanying this achievement, my primary motivation remained the cognitive development fostered through rigorous research and writing. The intellectual satisfaction derived from grappling with complex constitutional questions and contributing meaningfully to academic discourse far exceeded any material considerations.

Recognition of academic excellence

During the prizegiving ceremony, the distinguished judging panel, including Professor Hugh Corder and Judge Lee Bozalek, commended the exceptional quality and originality evident in the essay. The judges specifically highlighted that the work demonstrated remarkable freedom from concerns about artificial intelligence abuse and plagiarism – a testament to the importance of authentic scholarly engagement in contemporary academic discourse.

Bozalek expressed particular surprise that a student pursuing BCom Law, who had not yet commenced LLB studies, could demonstrate such sophisticated legal writing capabilities and analytical depth. This recognition underscores the potential for academic excellence across different educational pathways and highlights the importance of cultivating legal scholarship at all academic levels.

The judges' emphasis on the work's originality and authenticity reflects growing concerns within academic institutions regarding the integrity of student submissions in an era of technological advancement. This recognition, therefore, represents not only personal achievement but also affirmation of the continuing value of genuine intellectual engagement and original research.

Advice for students struggling with original work

Marele offers the following advice:

For students encountering difficulties with original academic writing, I offer several practical recommendations drawn from my experience in preparing this competition submission and from insights shared during the prizegiving ceremony.

Firstly, prioritise verified academic sources over internet materials. Secondly, develop genuine curiosity about your chosen topic. Thirdly, embrace interdisciplinary approaches to legal research. Fourthly, approach primary sources with genuine inquiry, seeking not simply to summarise existing knowledge but to understand underlying principles and identify areas for further exploration. Finally, maintain rigorous commitment to academic integrity.

Message to the academic fraternity

“I dedicate this achievement to the College of Law at the University of South Africa, whose commitment to academic excellence and intellectual rigour created the foundation enabling this success,” concludes Marele. “The mentorship provided by Professor Nina Mollema exemplifies the institutional commitment to nurturing student potential that distinguishes Unisa's academic environment.”

* Submitted by Ngwako Mokgotho, Communications and Marketing Specialist, College of Law