Stellenbosch University
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Law student achiever wants to highlight social justice
Author: Sue Segar
Published: 19/10/2021

​​Final-year LLB student and secretary of the Black Lawyers Association Stellenbosch University Student Chapter (BLASC SU) Thembalethu Seyisi has one main long-term goal and that is to highlight social justice.

He especially wants to do this in traditionally conservative environments such as corporate South Africa. “They can be very rigid with their profit targets which do not necessarily embrace social justice projects," Seyisi, a recipient of this year's Rector's Awards for Excellent Achievement in the Social Impact category, said in an interview.

Seyisi, a co-founder of the University's BLASC– which, along with other chapters based in different university campuses around South Africa, works towards a “common vision of a transformed legal education, a better student experience and the advancement of human rights" – was also part of the #Action4Inclusion Campaign, a crowdfunding campaign aimed at alleviating student debt for the so-called 'missing middle' students. He was responsible for, among other things, coordinating fundraising activities and marketing the campaign to the media.

The Rector's awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of students in the areas of academics, sport, leadership, social impact, culture and service provision. Seyisi, who is from Kariega outside Gqeberha and who matriculated from Oaklands High School in Lansdowne, Cape Town, said he felt “honoured and humbled" by the recognition of receiving the award.

“It is an indication that I am doing something right and motivation to do more of the social justice work," said Seyisi, who is also a former board member of the non-profit organisation Salesian Life Choices, which was set up to encourage responsible choices among young people from disadvantaged communities in the Cape Flats.

Expanding on his passion for social justice, he said, “It's simply about treating everybody with equal concern. It's about making sure no one group finds it more difficult than another group to exist in an environment in terms of race, gender, sexual orientation and other markers of exclusion."

Asked what drives him in his activism, on top of his demanding academic studies, Seyisi said: “Currently, the stark inequality and dehumanising poverty drive me to be a force for change. I believe the advancement of social justice is the solution to many of our challenges and law is an instrumental tool to be the society envisioned in the Constitution.

“I grew up in a family of four kids. My mom was a domestic worker and my dad was unemployed. We had our basic needs met but it wasn't a lavish life. When you grow up like that, you think 'why do some have more than others?'. You question the notion of justice."

Seyisi, a bursary-holder from the Stella Foundation, also compiled a book, entitled 21 Life Lessons @ 21, which involved interviewing 21 successful South Africans. His mentors “who have made an indelible mark in my life" include Prof Thuli Madonsela, Prof Kgethi Phakeng and Justice Edwin Cameron.
Asked what his long-term career goal is, Seyisi joked, “To be Chief Justice!"

Click here to read more about the Rector's Awards and  recipients. 

*A total of 82 top Stellenbosch University (SU) students were recently honoured with Rector's Awards for excellence in academics, leadership, social impact, culture, sport and service provision. During the next few weeks, we will feature some of the winners.​