To Pupil – Advocacy

1. Courageous Academic Journey

 While studying for the Bachelor of Laws degree with University of South Africa,  Mthombisi Mthimkulu was employed full time and that took most of his time. He had to make sacrifices by waking up early as three am to study and prepare to work afterward. This was not easy as he had to do this routine on a daily basis until he finished his studies.

 

2. University Days and Challenges

 During University days Mthimkulu recalls that he liked the ladies. This created a challenge for him, since relationships require time. He had to juggle balancing between relationships, studies and his employment. Mthimkulu realised that he would not manage all  this at once. He had to make the difficult decision of cutting out one of the aforementioned. He then reminded himself that one of the significant reasons that brought him to the institution was to obtain his law degree, this is how he realised and decided that relationships should take a back seat and he must focus his time on his law degree and employment.

 

3. The Decision To Do Pupilage

 In the period of his studies Mthimkulu mentions that he was exposed to various attorneys. Thus he had a clear picture of what attorneys do in their day to day work from his neighbour who was an attorney at that time. However, knowing various aspects of what attorneys do on a daily basis he was not keen to work as an attorney.

 

Although he knew what attorneys’ work entails, he did not have much information regarding an advocate’s role within the legal system. He later found out through the mentor he shadowed. This is how he managed to come to grips with what advocates do in their day to day work. Through the shadowing, he also discovered his interest in becoming an advocate and as result he decided to do pupilage.  

 

4. Day to Day Life As A Pupil – Advocate

Mthimkulu mentioned that on a day he normally does a lot of reading, drafting, research and attends lectures. Among other things pupilage also involves going to the chambers.  He is allocated to a mentor who provides work and training with various aspects that is not ordinarily taught at the university such as writing skills.  Counsel needs to draft court documents and other documents such as opinions, memorandum and the like.  This journey continues.