The Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) on 10 September celebrated 45 years of the UJ Law Clinic and its mission of restoring human dignity at the Country Club Johannesburg (CCJ). The celebratory event brought together members of the judiciary, advocates, students, regional magistrates, academics, staff, students, alumni and partners.
The award-winning UJ Choir opened proceedings with a special musical item, adding a dignified and uplifting close to the celebration.
In his opening address Prof Charles Maimela Executive Dean Faculty of Law welcomed guests and highlighted that the UJ Law Clinic has spent 45 years working in alignment with the Constitution of South Africa to restore human dignity.
“We are welcoming you in the Orange Army, where humility and humanity is at the centre of our business, we are chasing the restoration of humanity. As you enter our faculty, irrespective of the colour of your skin, your socio-economic background, everybody is welcome, and hence we inculcate this in all our graduates in the Faculty of Law that, despite their different socio-economic aspects, but when they leave the Faculty of Law, all of them are well-rounded graduates who are eager and committed to make a difference in their respective communities.”
Advocate Elsabe Steenhuisen delivered a keynote address that reflected on the UJ Law Clinic’s historical evolution, pedagogical value and mission of social justice. She said that “clinical education places the student at the centre of this encounter, and not only is that real for the client, but also for the students. And that is one of the greatest strengths of legal education”.
UJ Alumni, Bongani Luthuli Attorney and Acting Judge of the Labour Court reflected on his time as a student in 2009 and the profound influence of Natasha Naidoo, UJ Law Clinic Director. He added that every time he walked into the UJ Law Clinic he would see a template of his future.
“When we walked in the UJ Law Clinic, we did not feel like students, we felt like attorneys,” he said. To encourage the next generation in his conclusion, he quoted the famous words of Frantz Fanon: “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it, in relative opacity”.
Thabo Sejane final year Law student said that his journey with the UJ Law Clinic started in February 2026. He said; “I don’t think I regret that decision of joining the UJ Law Clinic. I was nervous but I felt at ease when I was received with warm hands by the staff at the clinic. Especially as a visually impaired student, I was never discriminated against and I have received a lot of support from the staff”.
The event concluded with a moving tribute video that featured law students, graduates who had worked and completed their articles at the clinic, and candidate attorneys. They all expressed gratitude to the UJ Law Clinic while reflecting on its journey and enduring legacy.
The UJ Law Clinic was established in 1981 with an initial team of 18 students and Professor Patrick O’ Brien. Over four and half decades, the UJ Law Clinic has transitioned form a modest student project into a nationally recognised practise for clinical legal education. The clinic currently operates across three UJ campuses; Auckland Park campus, Doornfontein campus, and Soweto campus.
