To start off our celebratory piece, we thought we’d refresh our memories to one of our Legal Education Centre’s very own hero, Dr G.M Pitje the first director of the centre. For your convenience we’ve attached a link on a laudatory piece in honour of the late figurehead in the legal profession. He set the tone for many black legal practitioners and left us with invaluable lessons.
Ours is a very beautiful country, historically rich and brimming with talent, and diversity – to name but a few. The spirit of September is one that embodies rebirth, hope and rejuvenated energy. A hope we sometimes forget when faced with tough times, hence the need for heroes.
Everybody is a hero in their own right, we are all capable. Here a few of our South African greats in no particular order:
The late Nkosi Johnson – for inspiring a nation, showing that age is never a factor when it comes to bravery and leadership.
Justice Pius Langa – The late Justice dedicated his life to transformation in the legal profession a stellar human rights jurist too, he was also known as the lawyer who defended freedom fighters.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma – for her phenomenal, exemplary work as Chairperson of the African Union, representing Africans far and near.
Lady Smith Black Mambazo – for staying true to their heritage and breaking international boundaries, showing how art can act as a uniting force.
The countless women who marched on that fateful day of August 9 1956 – ushering a new dawn for the nationwide recognition of women’s rights and their liberties.
Khanyi Dhlomo – Founding partner of Ndalo media, which creates diversified content for the black market.
This brief list does not do justice to the countless stellar heroes this country has, however we hope that it sets the tone forward for acknowledgement. We should all strive to be great South Africans. It starts with simple actions, active citizenry and always availing oneself to learning.
* Dr G.M Pitje link:
