The constitution provides you with a vision of wholeness. South Africa’s system of law, though richly diverse must, be made real. We have a constant struggle on our hands, but we have a constitution worth fighting for.
We need to fight for independency and social justice for all. As lawyers and upcoming lawyers it is our social responsibility.This was the message from Judge Cameron, a Judge of South Africa’s highest court, the Constitutional Court, which inspired first-year Law students admitted to register at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) for studies in 2015.
His address formed part of UJ’s annual First Year Seminar (FYS) that takes place before the beginning of the academic year. The aim of the seminar is to assist students with the transition from high school to tertiary education. Judge Cameron stressed the importance of law and legal studies in today’s evolving world and implored the students to achieve their qualifications with dedication.
Says Judge Cameron: “It is an interesting and satisfying experience to be a lawyer in South Africa today. The Law repays hard work and through being better informed you will become a better lawyer. Our constitution is rooted in our past and we need to fight for diversity and freedom. However, it does not help if society has freedom of speech and independency when the man on the street goes hungry. Our first priority should be a commitment to social justice.”
Judged Cameron, who is no stranger to UJ’s halls, elucidated the importance of law and legal studies in today’s evolving world and implored the students to work hard to achieve their qualifications. He motivated the students to become influential lawyers, advocates and judges once they qualify and drove the message home that they have the power to shape the future of South African law.
Prominent law firms in South Africa, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Werksmans attorneys, formed part of the Faculty of Law’s, first-year orientation programme and gave aspiring lawyers a sense of what they can expect when they enter the legal world.
