Latest news with #EdwinCameron
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
04-06-2025
- General
- The Herald
Bail fund mooted for accused who cannot pay, test project likely in Western Cape
The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) is working on a proposed bail fund for deserving remand detainees who have been granted bail but cannot afford to pay it. There are 2,613 detainees who have been granted bail of less than R1,000 but cannot afford the amount, making them "prisoners of poverty", the inspectorate told MPs on Tuesday. The correctional services committee heard a pilot project will soon be launched, likely in the Western Cape, to test the functioning of the fund. The JICS said the fund would benefit only those accused who the courts have determined will stand trial, are not a danger to the public, will not commit further offences while out on bail, will not present a danger to state witnesses and have a fixed address. R emandees accused of certain crimes, for example gender-based violence, are likely to be excluded. The inspectorate, headed by former constitutional court judge Edwin Cameron, has discussed the project with the department of correctional services, the National Prosecuting Authority, civil society and others in a working meeting to plan a way forward.
TimesLIVE
04-06-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Bail fund for accused who cannot pay is mooted, test project likely in Western Cape
The Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS) is working on a proposed bail fund for deserving remand detainees who have been granted bail but cannot afford to pay it. There are 2,613 detainees who have been granted bail of less than R1,000 but cannot afford the amount, making them "prisoners of poverty", the inspectorate told MPs on Tuesday. The correctional services committee heard a pilot project will soon be launched, likely in the Western Cape, to test the functioning of the fund. The JICS said the fund would benefit only those accused who the courts have determined will stand trial, are not a danger to the public, will not commit further offences while out on bail, will not present a danger to state witnesses and have a fixed address. Remandees accused of certain crimes, for example gender-based violence, are likely to be excluded. The inspectorate, headed by former constitutional court judge Edwin Cameron, has discussed the project with the department of correctional services, the National Prosecuting Authority, civil society and others in a working meeting to plan a way forward. A pilot project with the assistance of the Africa Criminal Justice Reform team at the University of the Western Cape is envisaged as the next step. MPs were told half the costs of the test case would be covered by "unsolicited philanthropic funding" and "the JICS will consider how to secure further funding". Correctional services committee chair Kgomotso Ramolobeng said she would like greater public input before the project is rolled out. Ramolobeng said several committee members were of the opinion that communities feared accepting awaiting trial offenders back into communities due to the risk of reoffending. "During recent oversight visits to correctional centres we noted lots of awaiting trail detainees, including juveniles, where low amounts of bail under R500 were set. On inquiry from the committee, they indicated families do not want to pay even the low amounts in the belief the youths caused mischief in communities. Our impression was that if they were inside a detention centre, they were out of the family's hair," she said. MPs wanted to know how offenders in the programme would be monitored after release and input regarding the ease of the bail money being forfeited if it was not paid by the accused and their families.
