POLOKWANE – Intense security and a well monitored function was the setting at the Park Inn by Radisson in Polokwane on Friday, 10 November, at a function that saw an estimated 200 people making their way to the launch of the Limpopo branch of the National Bar Council of South Africa (NBCSA).
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Acting Judge Cassim Moosa, Minister of Justice Michael Masutha, Deputy Speaker of Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Lehlogonolo Masoga, Chairperson for the Black Lawyers Association Francis Mvundlela and National Secretary of the South African Women Lawyers Association, Phodu Mdluli, were some of the speakers at the esteemed event.
According to Moosa, the launch and merger of the NBCSA branch within the province is an integral component of the city’s development.
“It is a significant move now that we have the High Court in Polokwane as it brings access to justice for people who previously had to travel long distances to attend court cases and to get justice.
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“It is our belief that the bar council will help in the transformation process, as it brings justice to the people in Limpopo,” he explained.
Phodu Mdluli, affiliated at the South African Women Lawyers Association, is of the hope that this bar council will change the stigma which women still fall prey to.
“There is still some discrimination in the types of cases women conduct and those that men conduct.
“I hope to see bigger and more significant cases being given to women in Limpopo,” she added.
The minister emphasised the long road that still needs to be travelled to bring forth transformation, but he firmly believes that the launch of the bar council is the perfect start.
“We look forward to getting people from the black communities into law positions, especially black women who have never been given the opportunities.
“This bar created the opportunity for graduates to stay here and for us not to lose them to places like Gauteng,” he concluded.
