Students from the IIE MSA Faculty of Law visited the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg. The aim? To provide future legal professionals with a first-hand look at South Africa’s highest court in action.
September 12 began with a guided tour of museums, the historic Old Fort, Women’s Prison, and the notorious Number 4 Prison where the students discovered the role these spaces played in South Africa’s history.
The students then observed a live court session from the gallery, where they witnessed the intricate workings of the judicial process as a full bench of nine Justices, including Chief Justice Mandisa Maya (the first female Chief Justice in South Africa) who presided over the matter. To ensure courtroom etiquette, the Law Faculty head, Melisa Chawaremera collected all cellphones from the students before entering the gallery.
In addition to observing the live session, the students were given a guided tour of the court, where they learned about its history, the significance of its architecture and the role it plays in shaping South Africa’s legal landscape.
This visit was more than just an educational outing, it was a reminder of the importance of their studies and the potential impact they can have on society as future legal practitioners.
For many, it was their first time being in a courtroom of this magnitude, which made the experience both eye-opening and inspiring.
The Constitutional Court, located in the heart of Braamfontein, is not only a symbol of justice but also a critical institution that protects the rights and freedoms enshrined in the South African Constitution.
