Celebrating 160 years of UCT Law

Thursday 17 October 2019 saw UCT Law and guests celebrating 160 years of the Law Faculty - looking to the future since 1859!

The celebration event also provided a great opportunity formally to introduce the new Dean of Law, Professor Danwood Chirwa, to alumni and the law profession. The speeches - by all accounts excellent - were made by Professor Phakeng, Vice-Chancellor of UCT; Professor Danie Visser, former Dean of Law; and Professor Chirwa, current Dean of Law. The event was ably MC'd by Danelle Plaatjies, incoming President of the 2019/2020 Law Students Council.

We were especially pleased to have a great group of alumni with us, ranging from Mr Isaac Schneider (LLB Class of 1952) to recent graduates such as Ms Carla Slade (LLB Class of 2018). Staff and student representatives also joined us at The Old Granary in Cape Town's city centre for this celebration event.

This building is one of Cape Town's oldest and was at various times used as a women's prison, a magistrate's court, and a police station - imbued with centuries of South African law and legal practice, and a very fitting venue to reflect on 160 years of UCT Law, and on what the next decades might bring.

Thank you to all those who joined us, and to the many alumni who sent their apologies. To those who were unable to join us, we hope these pics will give you a good sense of the event.