I’m Cameron Gumbrill, a
I matriculated in 2010 and knew I had to study after school. I applied to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and was accepted to do a National Diploma in Maritime Studies. I commenced my studies in 2011 and in 2013 embarked upon in-service training with Safmarine (and later Maersk Line).
In 2014 I qualified as a navigating officer Class 3 after having completed my oral examinations at the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) in Cape Town.
After spending some time navigating container ships in various parts of the world, I decided in early 2016 to embark on a career change. I resigned as a third navigating officer and decided to focus on my LLB
My role on the EXCO of the Civic Association involved logging queries (potholes, litter
Now, I’d like to take some time out to explain how I came to be involved in SABWiL and to explain my role in the organisation a bit better.
In early 2017 I was offered a contract job working for First National Bank in Johannesburg. While working in Johannesburg, I met Advocate Ayesha Tiry through a friend of a friend. We had a wonderful lunch in Emmarentia and chatted about the SABWIL movement. Advocate Tiry then asked me if I would be open to the idea of designing a website for SABWiL. How could I say no?
The design of the website was a significant task and it took me a while to complete between work and my studies. Going live with the site was another challenge – The hosting provider did not make my life easy! After arranging another provider we finally managed to go live in the first half of 2018. Yay!
In late 2018 Advocate Tiry then requested that I become a director of the SABWIL NPC. Again, how could I refuse?
One part of my role with the SABWiL Foundation is to continue with the development and maintenance of the website, which I do when I have some spare time. In addition, part of my role as a director is to assist with the governance of the NPC.
Spare time is hard to come by these days though since I work full time for the Red & Yellow Creative School of Business based in Cape Town in a sales capacity and I am still grinding away at my LLB with UNISA.
Through my role as a career advisor, I have engaged with a number of LLB graduates and students who are looking to upskill through Red & Yellow and it always warms my heart to see that these students are committed to bettering themselves.
The legal education system in South Africa has been a contentious issue for many years but I am convinced that SABWIL through its various projects and initiatives will address some of the gaps in the formal education of graduates. Going forward I would love to have more engagement with my fellow alumni, but living in Cape Town does make me feel a little isolated at times.
Cameron Gumbrill
Part-time LLB student
Career Advisor at Red & Yellow Creative School of Business
Student Alumnus Director at SABWiL NPC
19 June 2019