The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Faculty of Law recently took significant steps to prepare its aspiring legal practitioners for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The “Choose a Profession” event, held at the ResLife Hall, aimed to give students a closer look at the legal profession through the eyes of experienced practitioners working in various fields of law.
The event featured a panel of distinguished alumni who shared their journeys and insights, helping students navigate the complexities of a career in law. Among the speakers was Lindiswa Jafta, an LLB graduate from UWC, who now works as a conveyancer for STTB after completing her studies in 2019. Jafta provided a nuanced perspective on her role, emphasising that her work, which primarily involves administration and drafting legal documents, is often overlooked in favour of more public-facing legal careers.
“Our work involves mostly administration…we are mostly involved in drafting of legal documents, legal contracts, lease agreements, sale agreements, commercial agreements,” Jafta explained.
Adding another layer to the discussion, legal researcher and constitutional law expert Mbekezeli Benjamin urged students to embrace the multifaceted nature of law. Benjamin noted the pivotal role of social sciences in legal education, stating,
“One of the reasons that people pay lawyers, is that lawyers can think and lawyers can make decisions and give advice on how people should do the kinds of things that they want to do.
“One of the skills that will never, ever, be replaced even if we got the most advanced artificial intelligence, is the ability to think,” Benjamin advised.
Amidst the wealth of experience, Advocate Brenton Joseph SC, a UWC graduate of over 30 years, emphasised the significance of context in legal practice. He stressed the need for self-awareness to help shape one’s approach as a lawyer.
“We’re all budding lawyers sitting in this room, but every one of us has a different context. Because we have different contexts, we have to be able to be aware of where we come from, where we currently are and where we want to be, because that informs how you think,” Joseph added.
Joseph’s journey, replete with lessons learned from early mistakes in his career, was a testament to the resilience required in the legal profession.
Another prominent figure, Advocate Andre Oosthuizen SC, concluded the event by outlining key skills requisite for future lawyers. He advocated for a love of reading and a systematic ability to think analytically.
This engaging seminar not only provided UWC students with valuable insights into their futures in law but also served as an inspiration to discover their unique paths within this diverse and continually evolving field.
