I am a Black, African woman in a world that undervalues all the three. I know the pain of having to work thrice as much to prove my capability. When I die, I want my legacy to be that of a strong resilient woman that refused to conform. I aspire to be a pioneer who redefines the narrative of what it means to be Black, African and a woman, breaking the glass ceiling and shattering the barriers placed on us. I yearn to exist in a world that does not see those three qualities as prejudices but rather, a force that ignites our wings to fly.
My journey is a testimony of God’s abundant grace. Being raised by a single mother, a lot of sacrifices had to be made to enable me to be educated to this point. The most significant highlight of my school journey was when I completed high school with sterling results. However, not being able to afford tuition for university obliterated my dreams to study further. The experience was as if my life was over, as I had applied for bursaries without any success. This forced me to opt for a gap year, without any knowledge and plans for how or when was I going to university. Although this was the hardest and most testing point of my life, I remember that I made a promise to myself when I was in my third grade which was to become a lawyer when I grow up.
In the year 2015,I faithfully knelt down and declared the following prayer: “Dear God, may you grant me the opportunity to get into university in order to study law. When I complete my course, I would like everyone to look at me and know that it was You. I know and I believe this will happen one day. Amen”.
In 2016 I enrolled at the University of South Africa. This is a place where my selfdevelopment heightened, where I learnt that the power to be whatever I want to be lies deep within me and that wherever life plants me, I have no choice but to bloom.
I joined the Black Lawyers Association Student Chapter (BLAsc) UNISA in 2017. It was through this organisation that I managed to write and present two research papers at the UNISA spring law conferences. The first one was on racism in schools and the other focused on women, justice and the law.
In 2018 I did my vacation work at M.I.T Tshoga Attorneys in Rustenburg, where I was exposed to the practical aspect of the law. In June 2019 I became a member of South African Black Women in Law (SABWiL), by shadowing Adv. F. Opperman of Pitje Chambers. Counsel Opperman commended my determination, resilience and hard work, which led to me working for him for a few months. I regard this as an amazing opportunity.
In December 2019, I won one of the most outstanding awards under Girl Power (GP) South Africa. I was recognised as an outstanding social justice activist that year. This was as a result of all I had accomplished with organizations such as: GP, BLASC, SABWiL and Crown Girl-Out Loud (CGOL).
I finally obtained my LL.B in 2020. Even though COVID-19 prevented me from attending my graduation ceremony, I look back with great joy as I reflect on God’s faithfulness in my life. I am super proud of the woman I have become over the years and prouder of the difference ‘she’ has made in life. I am currently working towards enrolling for my master’s degree and desire to work outside Africa someday.
In the words of Colin Powell, “A dream does not become a reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work!” Vuk’uzenzele.
We encourage all our members to adhere to the Covid-19 rules and regulations.
Sanitize and stay safe. Ubuntu.
Alumna Nolwandle Mlalazi
SABWiL Alumni