KZN Law Students Graduate Cum Laude, Shaping South Africa’s Legal Future

In the vibrant corridors of the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Law, a new generation of legal professionals from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has emerged – armed not only with degrees, but with purpose and a deep sense of justice.

Nine remarkable graduates earned their Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degrees cum laude and now stand ready to shape South Africa’s legal landscape.

Hailing from Pietermaritzburg are Ms Raeesah Bester, Ms Rochelle Gilbert, Mr Thandoluhle Mkhize, Ms Kheara Anooklaal, Ms Amanda Mngoma and Ms Dhiya Maharaj – graduates who represent the capital city’s tradition of academic excellence and legal promise.

For Maharaj, Law was more than an academic pursuit – it was a legacy. ‘My dad always wanted to pursue Law but never had the opportunity and I feel proud that I was able to fulfil that dream for both of us,’ she said.

Starting her university journey during the COVID-19 pandemic, Maharaj not only overcame the challenges of remote learning but thrived. Now completing her articles at Norton Rose Fulbright, she is focused on being admitted as an attorney and setting her sights on the limitless possibilities ahead.

At just 22, Bester chose Law not only as a career but as a calling. ‘The injustices during the COVID-19 lockdown inspired me to explore how Law can address social and economic challenges,’ she said.

Now, Bester sets her sights on a career in Maritime or Human Rights Law, with plans to further her studies and deepen her expertise.

Anooklaal’s journey was highly driven by a quote her parents instilled in her: “Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.”

‘It has always been important to me to have goals, and to remain grounded in all that I do. As I am an only child, this is definitely a proud moment for my parents. They have always encouraged me through every step of my education – for this I will always be grateful,’ she said.

Gilbert’s path to Law was less traditional but no less inspiring. ‘My passion for social justice and a deep commitment to criminal justice have influenced my engagement with my LLB,’ she explained.

Juggling part-time studies, motherhood, and financial hurdles, she was fuelled by the admiration in her daughter’s eyes. ‘I wanted to be the best role model to her and let her, through my studies, realise that the sky’s the limit,’ said Gilbert.

Equally motivated by justice and service, Mkhize found purpose in rising above his own circumstances. A father and first-generation university graduate, he is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Law.

‘Studying Law was never just about the qualification – it was about becoming a force for fairness, accountability, and positive change,’ he explains.

Financial hardship, fatherhood, and leadership responsibilities tested him, but his faith and community kept him grounded. Now, he is working toward a future in corporate, tax, and banking law.

Mngoma, brings sharp wit and fierce ambition to the field.
‘I often tell people I studied Law because of the endless possibilities – but the truth is, I like proving a point. And what’s Law if it’s not all about proving your point?’ she joked.

With her articles underway and board exams on the horizon, Mngoma is laser-focused on becoming an attorney and eventually pursuing her master’s or even a doctorate.

In the heart of Morningside, Durban, Ms Taleah Naidu draws strength from family – especially her mother’s resilience and the memory of her late father. She reflects that their hard work shaped her path.

The intellectual challenge of the Law energised her throughout her studies, and today she is thriving doing her articles at a firm in Umhlanga, with a focus on commercial, litigation, and family law.

Like Naidu, Ms Sandhika Sannipershad from Phoenix is aiming for a career in corporate commercial law. Her legal spark was lit by a childhood love of mystery novels and a growing interest in commerce.

Her LLB journey, marked by the challenges of pandemic-era disruptions and campus strikes, demanded adaptability.

‘By staying focused and adapting to change, I turned such difficulties into defining moments of strength,’ she says.

Another candidate attorney, Ms Reeya Singh, born and raised in Ladysmith, discovered Law through fiction – specifically Jodi Picoult’s Nineteen Minutes. Although Law wasn’t her first career choice, she found fulfilment in the courtroom dynamics and academic rigour of the LLB programme.

Now working at VM & Co. while pursuing her Master’s in Medical Law, Singh is exploring cutting-edge topics like genome editing.

As Maharaj puts it, ‘This milestone isn’t just mine – it’s a victory for my entire family.’

And by extension, it is a victory for a country that will undoubtedly benefit from the sharp minds and big hearts these graduates bring to the table.

Words: Ayanda Radebe

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini