Prof Andrea Durbach and Judge Dennis Davis interviewing Prof Hugh Corder during the 2016 reunion weekend.

The reunion not only saw a range of law alumni, some as far back as 1956, reconnecting with their alma mater and each other, it also included reflections by outgoing Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsela, on her tenure and a symposium honouring faculty stalwart Professor Hugh Corder.

Law luminaries, like Sir Jeffrey Jowell, former Constitutional Court Judges Albie Sachs and Kate O’Regan, were among the panellists reflecting on Corder’s role inside and outside the faculty through the prism of Administrative Law, his area of interest and expertise.

Jowell revealed that he considers Corder to be one of the “world’s greatest public lawyers”. Professor Cora Hoexter from Wits University and who has shared many platforms with Corder had the following to say about him:

“Hugh has done so much for South African Administrative Law that it is impossible for me to imagine what this area would have looked like without him. I’ve heard him referred to as the father and sometimes the grandfather of South African Administrative Law and more specifically of South African Administrative Justice, particularly since 1994. But perhaps obstetrician or midwife would be a more accurate term because he was there before that system was born, he was there when it was born and he certainly did more than almost anyone to bring it into the world.”

Former Justice Albie Sachs described Corder as having “a certain impetuosity” and being a bit of a rebel, a characteristic only “contained by (his) very strong mind”. Sachs expressed his deep appreciation of Corder, who was one of the first people he had made contact with upon his return to South Africa after 24 years in exile.

Former Justice Kate O’Regan lauded Corder for being an extraordinary example of someone who “mixed scholarship with the legal system as something that makes a difference in people’s lives”.

The current turmoil at universities across the country was the topic of a session chaired by Law Dean Professor Penelope Andrews. During this session Andrews and Associate Professor Aifheli Tshivhase recommitted themselves to finding solutions to the current crisis.

Corder’s contribution to the faculty

The Corder brood joined the session where Corder’s contribution to the UCT law faculty was celebrated. Colleagues and former students related their stories and experiences of the man.

Botswanan Judge Oagile Dingake, whose PhD Corder supervised, praised him for his “incisive legal mind, his profound knowledge of the law and unpretentious love for every person. Humble to a fault he would never admit to these extraordinary qualities; but irrespective of his likely protest, on the basis of the evidence before me, which no witness can credibly contest, I find as a fact that my assertions of him are well founded and factual”.

A 2010 law graduate, Ms Lwando Xaso, referred to Corder as “huggable Hugh”, a moniker conferred on him by Justice Edwin Cameron, adding:

“When you meet Prof Corder you will not know that he is one of the many men and women who helped bend the arc of history towards accountability and democracy. As his student you wouldn’t know because he was more interested in our opinions over his own and that made us feel like we knew more than we did. His sense of curiosity and openness to new ideas is his strength as a teacher; Picasso famously remarked how his biggest strength was maintaining a child's curiosity into old age – very few people can pull this off, Prof Corder is one of the few.”

Relating her “massively embarrassing tale”, Adv. Michelle O’Sullivan from the class of 1992 told of her and her classmates’ attempt to compose a song for Corder. “It was based on Belinda Carlyle’s 1987 hit Heaven is a place on earth with excruciating lyrics: ‘Hugh baby you know what law’s worth – jurisprudence is place on earth – they say at law school contract comes first…’ I may add that none of our other lecturers inspired us to such greatness, not even the much loved Kate O’Regan.”

Professor Anton Fagan brought this particular session to a close with a poem in honour of him. Read the poem in its entirety here.

The symposium ended with Corder being interviewed by 1981 graduate Professor Andrea Durbach and Judge Dennis Davis. Corder emphasised the importance of law as a service, adding that it is something that all practitioners and researchers of the law should keep in mind.

Reunion proceedings ended with a gala dinner, where Adv. Thuli Madonsela reflected on the lessons she learnt in the seven years of her tenure as Public Protector. “I’ve learnt that people will lie to your face. They will stand in front of you and lie to you.” This realisation has not however made her cynical about her fellow countrymen as she also learnt that the majority of South African when faced with a choice will opt to do the right thing.

Alumni reactions

Adrian Dommisse, whose classmates celebrated 20 years since graduation at the reunion, felt inspired by “the quality of the minds, who educate our students, and encouraged about the future of the country”. A highlight for him was the interview with Corder and the opportunity to socialise with former classmates some of whom he hadn’t see in 20 years.

A highlight for Daryl Burman from the class of 1956, was Madonsela’s endorsement of the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism, which can bring about “justice for ordinary citizens against government intransigence”.

Jan Glazweski, a graduate from 1976 and professor in the Institute of Marine and Environmental Law, enjoyed the camaraderie amongst the alumni. He was also delighted to learn that the South African administrative justice clause had a ripple effect across the world.