Among the exceptional legal minds being conferred degrees during the University of Johannesburg’s Winter Graduation ceremonies is Dr Ropafadzo Maphosa, whose journey to a Doctor of Laws (LLD) in International Law has been defined by intellectual curiosity, resilience and an unwavering commitment to advancing human rights in Africa.

Dr Maphosa is a proud product of UJ Law, and completed all her legal qualifications at the University, progressing from an LLB to an LLM in Human Rights Law, which she completed with distinction in 2020, before embarking on her doctoral studies. Reflecting on her academic journey, she says it was her passion for legal research and intellectual curiosity that inspired her to pursue an LLD.

“I’ve always genuinely enjoyed legal research, but what sustained me throughout my doctorate was curiosity. I had several legal questions that I wanted to investigate. Being surrounded by academics throughout this journey also motivated me to continue,” she said.

Receiving her LLD from one of Africa’s leading law faculties is a milestone she describes as both rewarding and deeply meaningful. “It is an incredibly rewarding feeling. Having completed all my legal qualifications at UJ, I have experienced first-hand the exceptional academic environment within the Faculty of Law.

“I have had the privilege of learning from and working alongside scholars such as my supervisor, Professor Hennie Strydom, whose work has shaped legal thought both in South Africa and internationally,” she said.

Curiosity, she says, has always been the driving force behind her academic journey.

“I’ve always genuinely enjoyed legal research, but what sustained me throughout my doctorate was curiosity. I had several legal questions that I wanted to investigate. Being surrounded by academics throughout this journey also motivated me to continue,” she explained.

Her doctoral thesis, “Exploring the Quasi-Criminal Jurisdiction of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” examines how regional human rights courts can play a stronger role in combating impunity when states fail to investigate and prosecute serious human rights violations.

“My thesis is about accountability,” she explained. “My research asks whether the African Court has begun to develop a quasi-criminal jurisdiction similar to other regional human rights courts and how that jurisdiction can be strengthened to better combat impunity across the continent.”

Ultimately, she says, her research seeks to answer a fundamental question that is “What should justice look like when states fail to deliver it?”

Dr Maphosa hopes her research will contribute to strengthening the African Court’s role in ensuring that justice extends beyond the delivery of judgments. “I hope my research contributes to an ongoing conversation about how regional human rights institutions can become more effective in addressing impunity. Accountability does not end when a judgment is delivered; courts must also think carefully about how justice is implemented.”

Like many doctoral candidates, balancing academic research with life’s responsibilities requires determination and sacrifice. For Dr Maphosa, the greatest challenge came during the final year of her studies when she became a mother. “Caring for a newborn while completing an LLD demanded a level of discipline, resilience and adaptability that I had never experienced before,” she said.

“Perhaps the greatest lesson I learned was that strength is not about doing everything alone. Sometimes resilience means allowing others to support you when you need it most.”

She credits her success to the unwavering support of her supervisor, family and friends. “They encouraged me when I doubted myself, celebrated every milestone and reminded me to keep going. This journey was a reminder that it really takes a village. Behind every graduation photograph is a community of people who quietly helped make it possible.”

Reflecting on her time at UJ Law, Dr Maphosa says working as a researcher at the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC) was one of the defining experiences of her academic journey. “It offered me a glimpse into academic life beyond the classroom and confirmed that research and lecturing were the career I wanted to pursue,” she said.

She also recalls defending her doctoral thesis as one of the most memorable moments of her life. “Rather than feeling like an examination, the defence became an opportunity to engage deeply with my research and appreciate how much I had grown as a scholar. It was also such an incredible feeling when I passed the defence; I remember calling my dad close to tears because I couldn’t quite believe it.”

“UJ Law has shaped me not only through its curriculum, but through its people. I was fortunate to learn under exceptional scholars who profoundly influenced my own approach to research. More importantly, UJ cultivated intellectual curiosity. It taught me that good scholarship is not about having all the answers, but about asking careful questions, remaining intellectually humble and never losing sight of the human beings behind every legal problem.”

Now embarking on the next chapter of her career, Dr Maphosa has joined the South African Research Chair in Equality, Law and Social Justice at Wits University as a Postdoctoral Researcher. She hopes to pursue a full-time academic career and, one day, attain professorial rank.

“Completing my doctorate is a tremendous milestone, but it also feels like the beginning of a new chapter. While one journey has ended, another has already begun.”

For aspiring postgraduate students, her advice is simple: remain curious, be patient with yourself and trust the process.

“I would encourage students not to compare their journey to anyone else’s. Academic success is rarely about speed; it is about consistency. Progress made one page, one paragraph or even one sentence at a time is still progress.”

As she celebrates becoming Dr Ropafadzo Maphosa, she hopes her journey will inspire others to believe in the transformative power of education.

“I hope my journey encourages young people, especially those from humble beginnings, to believe that where you start does not determine where you can finish. Education did not simply give me qualifications; it expanded my world, opened doors I never imagined possible and gave me the opportunity to contribute to something larger than myself.