Tiktok Sensation and Award-Winning Author, Graduated With A Master’s in Constitutional Law

Known for his thought-provoking commentary on legal, educational, and societal issues, Mr Xolo Songca has built a strong following on TikTok, where he has amassed more than 250 000 followers and four million likes.

A two-time award-winning author of The African Code and The Caucasian Fallacy, Songca will add another milestone to his remarkable journey when he graduates with a Master of Laws (LLM) in Constitutional Law at this year’s Spring Graduation.

His research, driven by a desire to strengthen South African law and constitutional governance, addresses critical systemic challenges within local government. Songca said he believed its significance lay in its perspective that looks beyond statistics and government reports towards the lived experiences of communities.

Supervised by Professor Warren Freedman, Songca’s study titled, “Examining the Rising Number of Municipalities Under Section 139 Interventions in KwaZulu-Natal: A Determination of Municipal Dysfunctionality and Dissolution in Terms of Section 139(5) of the Constitution”, investigates the laws that allow the provincial government to intervene in the affairs of a dysfunctional municipality.

Said Songca, “I was especially interested in municipalities suffering from financial crises and wanted to ascertain why provincial governments preferred to use Section 139(1), which applies broadly to all kinds of municipal failures, rather than Section 139(5), which applies specifically to financial failures.”

He added, “It was apparent from my research that a Section 139 intervention should not simply be viewed as a mechanism for taking control of failing municipalities, but as a constitutional tool aimed at restoring effective and accountable local government.”

For Songca, earning his LLM from UKZN marks a milestone in a personal journey intertwined with institutional history. Having previously earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University, he also shares a familial link to UKZN as his uncle, Professor Sandile Songca, was the former Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.

“I come from a family of deeply intellectual and accomplished scholars and professionals. Studying at UKZN challenged me academically, but more importantly, it shaped the way I think about law, society, and my own purpose as a legal practitioner.”

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photo: Sethu Dlamini