Latest news with #DaliMpofu
News24
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
Legal rebel: Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh celebrates earning law degree on his own terms
Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh initially rebelled against following his father Dali Mpofu's legal career path, only to discover his passion for law while writing his second book during the pandemic. His legal studies gained deeper meaning as he studied cases argued by his father and judgments written by his godfather Edwin Cameron, making the academic experience intensely personal. Mpofu-Walsh describes managing law studies alongside his podcast, academic work, and family life, including the birth of his son, as one of the 'hardest professional battles' of his life. Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh initially rebelled against following his father Dali Mpofu's legal career path, only to discover his passion for law while writing his second book during the pandemic. His legal studies gained deeper meaning as he studied cases argued by his father and judgments written by his godfather Edwin Cameron, making the academic experience intensely personal. Taking to his Instagram account recently Mpofu-Walsh described managing law studies alongside his podcast, academic work, and family life, including the birth of his son, as one of the 'hardest professional battles' of his life. His father, Dali Mpofu, is a prominent South African advocate and legal professional. The accomplished author, academic and broadcaster initially resisted the legal path that many expected him to take due to his family heritage. 'I never planned to study law. When I was younger, everyone thought I would because of my father, so I rebelled. Then, in the middle of writing my second book during the pandemic, I found myself deep in constitutional debates, discovering the law's quiet power, its beauty, its mystery. I couldn't look away anymore,' he explains. The transition from holding a PhD to starting an undergraduate law degree proved to be a humbling experience for the seasoned academic. 'The law doesn't care what else you know—you must start at the beginning,' Mpofu-Walsh reflects. His legal studies took on deeply personal dimensions as he discovered connections between his academic material and his family legacy. 'I spent late nights leafing through textbooks and cases, but also learning about myself and those around me. My godfather, Edwin Cameron, penned many of the judgments I read. My father argued some of the cases I studied. As if the past was reminding me: you are here now.' Managing his law studies alongside his established career and growing family presented unprecedented challenges. Mpofu-Walsh describes balancing his podcast SMWX, Wits work, and family responsibilities while studying law as one of the 'hardest professional battles of my life.' 'I remember prepping to interview Julius Malema one night, then writing a property law exam the next morning, scraping 60%—and somehow, that mark felt more satisfying than the many distinctions I got,' he recalls. The journey became even more meaningful with the arrival of his son during his studies. 'I could never have known my son would be born during this journey, cheering me on in his small way as I moved from nappies to assignments, and back again.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sizwe Mpofu Walsh (@sizwempofuwalsh) The graduation celebration held special significance for the entire family. 'To share this moment with those I love has been the greatest gift. My father saying, 'I told you you'd come to the law.' My mother saying, 'I'm so proud of you.' Mum, it's true—I only do it to make you proud.' Adding to the family's academic achievements, his wife Sumaya earned her PhD simultaneously, with each partner supporting the other's educational pursuits. While he's earned the qualification, Mpofu-Walsh's immediate plans remain focused on his current work. 'For now, I'm focusing on the podcast and my academic work. But, maybe one day, I'll stand before a court, adding my voice to a tradition that shaped me.' The graduation represented more than just another academic achievement. 'This graduation felt special for all these reasons,' he concludes, acknowledging the personal journey that brought him back to the legal profession he once actively avoided. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sizwe Mpofu Walsh (@sizwempofuwalsh)
The Herald
24-06-2025
- The Herald
Woman arrested in connection with kidnapping of newborn at Joburg clinic
A 21-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a three-day-old child from a health clinic in the eastern part of Johannesburg. Police spokesperson Sgt Patricia Mgijima said the 31-year-old mother had taken her infant for a check-up at Margaret Zuma Clinic in the Winnie Mandela section of Tembisa on Monday afternoon. 'The mother wanted to use the toilet. She found the suspect and other women in a queue. The suspect offered to hold her baby so the mother could relieve herself,' said Mgijima. She said the mother came out of the toilet and discovered the suspect had disappeared with her child. CCTV footage showed the woman, who was wearing a black tracksuit, walking out of the clinic with a baby swaddled in a blanket. By mid-morning on Tuesday, police had traced and arrested her at the nearby Dali Mpofu informal settlement. Mgijima said according to the suspect, she wanted to claim the child as her own after she miscarried in May. 'She told us she was scared to tell her family and her partner's family she miscarried.' The baby appeared to be unhurt but is being medically assessed as a precaution. The suspect is expected to appear before the Tembisa magistrate's court soon. Last month, two baby abductions were reported to police. In Durban, a two-week-old baby was found safe after allegedly being kidnapped by a 21-year-old woman who had suffered a miscarriage a few weeks before. Private security firm Rusa said she had allegedly hatched the plan 'so her boyfriend would not dump her' after meeting the newborn's mother at a clinic. In Gqeberha, Sinovuyo Rabula, 22, who had falsely told her boyfriend she was going to have twins, is on trial after two infants were allegedly snatched from the neonatal ICU ward at the Dora Nginza hospital. Police found she had allegedly visited the hospital three times in May, claiming she was pregnant. Doctors did a pregnancy test on Rabula, which came back negative, and referred her to a psychologist on her last visit on May 19, the Herald reported. TimesLIVE
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
‘They should be embarrassed': Mpofu slams charges as disciplinary hearing postponed
Mpofu described the LPC's inquiry as "a mighty waste of our time". Advocate Dali Mpofu at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 20 March 2024. Picture: Gallo Images/Darren Stewart Advocate Dali Mpofu has dismissed the misconduct charges against him as 'nonsensical' following the postponement of his disciplinary inquiry before the Legal Practice Council (LPC). The legal practitioner was scheduled to appear on Wednesday before an independent disciplinary committee at the LPC's offices in Pretoria. Dali Mpofu's charges Mpofu faced seven charges of misconduct, including matters involving former public protector Thuli Madonsela and Chief Justice Mandisa Maya. The charge related to Maya stemmed from comments Mpofu made about her during a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) interview process for the position of chief justice in February 2022. At the time, Mpofu stated that he had spent nights with Maya during their time in law school. ALSO READ: Mpofu's 'day has come' to face disciplinary committee for misconduct The remark was criticised as inappropriate and potentially defamatory due to its perceived sexual innuendo. Additional charges included Mpofu's alleged threats against Qubudile Dyantyi, who chaired the Section 194 impeachment inquiry into former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane. The charge involving Madonsela related to Mpofu's cross-examination of the former public protector at the same inquiry, during which he sought to 'discredit' her by questioning her status as an admitted advocate. LPC amends charge sheet Wednesday's inquiry was, however, disrupted by a power outage. The chairperson of the disciplinary process, Daniel Mpanza, announced that the LPC had revised its charge sheet. 'There are only four charges against Advocate Mpofu,' Mpanza confirmed during a media briefing. He explained that Mpofu would still have the opportunity to respond to the remaining charges. Two charges relating to Madonsela and one involving Maya had been withdrawn. READ MORE: Legal Practice Council denies having vendetta against Mpofu Mpanza indicated that the complainants had expressed unwillingness to proceed with the matter. 'The chief justice didn't want to proceed. It affects her and all those things. It's personal,' the chairperson said. He further stated that the hearing has been postponed and a new date will be communicated in due course. 'The LPC will inform us of the date upon which we have to appear again.' Mpofu responds to 'laughable charges' Speaking to the media after the postponement, Mpofu described the inquiry as 'a mighty waste of our time'. 'Whenever they want to waste our time again, we will be here. We will be available,' he told SABC. The lawyer also criticised the charges against him. 'This whole thing is a witch hunt which is politically motivated. 'I mean, some of these charges, as I said, are very laughable, to say the least, and those laughable charges have been dropped to prove that they were indeed laughable. 'Even the remaining ones, I think, are just nonsensical, equally so it's a question of time. The climb down by the LPC in withdrawing these charges was something to be expected,' Mpofu said. READ MORE: Dali Mpofu rejects claims EFF should dissolve and merge with MK He continued: 'They are ridiculous, ludicrous, senseless and laughable. That's why they've been dropped because there's nothing to them. You can't, for example, say a lawyer is charged for discrediting a witness. 'That's what lawyers do. A first-year law student will tell you that that's what you are trained to do.' Mpofu further slammed the LPC for pursuing charges without apparent consultation with Maya and Madonsela. 'How did they do the charges without talking to them?' he asked, suggesting the council 'should be embarrassed' by the turn of events.
