Law and Justice
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Law and Justice

Vanessa Lynch

Director
DNAforAfrica
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-lynch/
https://www.dnaforafrica.com/
Born in Kenya and raised in Johannesburg, Dr Vanessa Lynch originally aspired to a career in fashion design but ultimately pivoted to law, where her love of debate found its true home. She holds a Doctorate of Laws (LLD) from Stellenbosch University. As regional director of DNAforAfrica and a government affairs consultant, Lynch operates at the intersection of law, science, and policy. Her work encompasses advising African governments on national DNA legislation, conducting policy workshops, mentoring postgraduate students, and serving on international boards, including the ISFG Forensic  Databasing Advisory Board. For instance, she played a key role in the development of South Africa’s DNA Act, which has significantly improved the country’s criminal justice system. A typical day may include supervising research, attending policy meetings, or presenting at global conferences. She thrives on collaboration, capacity-building, and seeing how DNA systems transform justice, solve crimes,  and bring closure to families. Her path into forensic DNA was shaped by personal tragedy: the murder of her father in 2004 and the absence of a system to use DNA evidence inspired her to found The DNA Project, which laid the foundation for South Africa’s DNA Act. Lynch is also a children’s author, creating the DNA-inspired character Professor Frite to spark curiosity in young forensic scientists. Her guiding principle: strive for excellence, not perfection,  and never doubt yourself, even when others do.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Doctorate of Laws (LLD), Stellenbosch University  
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Cape Town
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Law, University of KwaZulu-Natal

ACHIEVEMENTS

Founding The DNA Project (2005) after my father’s murder, I launched my first advocacy initiative, which laid the foundation for South Africa’s DNA Act and the creation of the National Forensic DNA Database in South Africa. Legislative success in South Africa followed, with tireless lobbying over eight years, and later, sitting in Parliament in 2013 when the DNA Bill was passed into law (that moment!). I was then honoured to serve as Deputy Chair of the first National Forensic Oversight and Ethics Board (NFOEB), alongside the late and indomitable Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, where I saw first-hand how the DNA database helped identify and remove violent serial offenders from our streets. At the age of 50, I earned my LLD, tackling a sensitive topic on gender and privacy in forensic DNA reporting. This research has since influenced laboratory policies worldwide, and I was also asked to present my research at the 30th ISFG Conference in Spain — the only presenter from Africa out of 59 global experts and the only non-scientist. In 2021, I launched DNAforAfrica, taking the lessons learned in South Africa beyond its borders. This initiative built regional capacity and collaboration, gained the trust of other administrations, and created what I call the “DNAforAfrica family.” I have also been invited to serve on the ISFG Ethics Board, as one of just five people worldwide advising on ethical DNA database practices

Author -
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Basetsana Koitsioe

Basetsana Koitsioe

Acting executive director
Lawyers against Abuse
https://www.linkedin.com/in/basetsana-koitsioe-455670195/
https://lva.org.za/

Basetsana Koitsioe is the acting executive director of Lawyers against Abuse (LvA), where she leads strategic direction, programme oversight, financial management, fundraising, and team development. Her days involve reviewing organisational updates, supporting programme implementation, meeting with staff or partners, and contributing to donor proposals and reports. She thrives on seeing the tangible impact of LvA’s work, collaborating with a passionate team, and strengthening the organisation’s growth and sustainability. Basetsana holds a Master of Laws in  Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa from the University of Pretoria. Her commitment to social justice began during her university years, when she ran leadership workshops for high school girls in Diepkloof. Witnessing challenges with legal dimensions inspired her to study law and specialise in human rights and gender justice. She has represented clients facing workplace sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and violations of sexual and gender minority rights. Deeply rooted in her Soweto heritage, Basetsana draws inspiration from her community, using her platform to amplify the voices of the marginalised and drive meaningful change. She has presented at international conferences on sexual and reproductive health, and was named one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Africa to Watch in 2025. Her guiding principle: “You’ve studied and listened — now it’s time to put action to knowledge.”

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Laws in Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Africa, University of Pretoria 
  • Bachelor of Arts: English Literature and Political Science, Wits University
  • Bachelor of Laws, Wits University

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Colloquium on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights – The Role of State Actors in Addressing Obstetric Violence, presented at the University of Pretoria (May 2024)
  • South-South Dialogue on Respectful Maternity Care & Obstetric Violence – Litigating Obstetric Violence in South Africa, presented at Georgetown University, Washington D.C. (August 2024)
  • Re-worlding Reproduction: Navigating Emerging Knowledge, Politics, and Justice, presented at the University of Pretoria (September 2024)
  • Guest lecture to second-year medical students on rights and duties of patients and healthcare practitioners; topics covered included informed consent and obstetric violence, Wits Medical School (2023 and 2024)
  • Recognised as one of the Top 25 Women Lawyers in Africa to Watch in the 2025 edition of Women Who Inspire magazine by the Institute for African Women in Law

 

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Kgomotso Mufamadi

Kgomotso Mufamadi

Chief executive
Lotus Labour Consulting
ttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kgomotso-mufamadi/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/lotuslabourconsult/

Kgomotso Mufamadi is the chief executive of Lotus Labour Consulting, a boutique labour law and organisational development firm that helps corporates, SMEs, and public institutions build compliant, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces.  She holds an LLM from the University of the Witwatersrand, where she also serves as President of the Wits Convocation, representing alumni in higher education governance. A former CCMA commissioner and head of Industrial Relations at BMW, Kgomotso founded Lotus Labour Consulting to transform workplaces from conflict-driven environments into spaces of dignity, growth, and collaboration. Her daily work involves advising clients on complex labour matters, leading policy development workshops, mediating disputes, and mentoring HR and legal teams. What she enjoys most is helping organisations shift towards proactive, people-centred workplace cultures. Kgomotso also serves on the boards of Greenpeace Africa, Make Your Mark,  Richmond Farms Zambia, and Southern Africa Philanthropy, where she influences governance and social impact initiatives. Grounded in her Christian faith, she believes authentic  leadership begins with self-awareness and healing, inspiring others with her values: “You cannot carry your traumas into leadership — that’s what creates toxicity in workplaces.” Inspired by her first mentor, Justice Kate O’Regan, Kgomotso strives to lead with love in every space she occupies.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Laws (LLM), Wits University
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Wits University
  • Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, Wits University –  majoring in Political Science and Law

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Election as President of the Wits Convocation, giving voice to alumni in higher education governance.
  • Serving on the boards of Greenpeace Africa, enke: Make Your Mark, Richmond Farms in Zambia, and Southern Africa Philanthropy, influencing social impact and governance.
  • Publishing widely in respected journals on labour, technology, and transformation.
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Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya

Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya

Professor: Public Law
University of Fort Hare
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nomthandazo-ntlama-ba72ab141/?originalSubdomain=za
https://www.ufh.ac.za/

Prof Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya, a senior professor of Law at the University of Fort Hare, is a leading figure in Constitutional Law and Human Rights. Her daily routine involves a delicate balance of lecturing, research, and mentoring junior colleagues, all while contributing to the university’s key performance areas, including community engagement. Her passion for teaching is evident in her commitment to transferring knowledge to future legal professionals and staying at the forefront of developments in her field. Beyond academia, she has made significant contributions as a Judge in various Divisions of the  High Court, producing judgments that have significantly influenced South Africa’s jurisprudence. Her appointment as a commissioner to the Judicial Service Commission,  representing the Society of Law Teachers of  Southern Africa, is a testament to her standing as both a scholar and a contributor to the practical understanding of the law. She holds a Doctor of Law (LLD) from the University of South Africa — a qualification she remarkably completed in just 18 months. Soon after,  she was promoted to associate professor and later delivered her Inaugural Address as a senior professor. “I strive for excellence,” she says. “In this profession, there is no point of arrival  — only continuous learning, reflection, and the responsibility to make a lasting impact.”

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Doctor of Laws (LLD), University of South Africa
  • Master of Laws,  Stellenbosch University
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Fort Hare
  • Bachelor of Law (B.Juris), University of Fort Hare
  • Certificate in Comparative Human Rights, Master of Laws, Stellenbosch University

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Hosting of various events, including the Heritage Cup Tournament and the Conference on International Human Rights

 

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Xolile Ngwenya

Xolile Ngwenya

Director | Practicing attorney
Xolile Ngwenya Attorney
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPTyqVtjE8U/

Xolile Ngwenya, the director of Xolile Ngwenya Attorneys, is a practicing attorney with a passion for justice and a commitment to lifelong learning. Her journey in law was inspired by her father and a childhood fascination with Ally McBeal, which sparked her early love for law and presenting information. She holds an LLB from the University of Limpopo and manages her firm with dedication, representing clients, drafting legal documents, mediating, arbitrating, negotiating, and attending court daily. She  describes her work as both rewarding and ordained by Jehovah, allowing her to learn something new every  day—a blessing she likens to “bliss.” Beyond the courtroom, Xolile channels her creativity through fashion entrepreneurship. Through her company, Ms. Curvy Creations (Pty) Ltd, she designs bespoke dresses, court attire, and bibs, blending professional rigor with creative expression. Her proudest achievements include being admitted as an attorney of the High Court, registering her firm on the eve of the 2020 lockdown, securing panel attorney positions with multiple public and private entities, and expanding to a branch in Tonga, Malalane. Xolile’s journey has taught her that patience can “cook a stone” and that success depends on the depth of one’s desire to achieve a goal. She follows the advice of Eckhart Tolle: “Limit thinking and generate presence,” a philosophy that guides both her legal practice and creative ventures.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • LLB (Bachelor of Laws), University of Limpopo

ACHIEVEMENTS

Being admitted as an attorney of the High Court is my most significant achievement and registered a company on the eve of the country’s shutdown in 2020. As a team, we have served as panel attorneys for more than five entities from both the public and private sectors. We have opened another branch in Tonga, Malalane. I was shortlisted by Mail & Guardian Power of Women as a finalist My father has been a loyal subscriber to the newspaper from my primary school days to the present, so filling this form is an achievement.

Sewela Mamphiswana | mg.co.za
Natasha Rene Naidoo

Natasha Rene Naidoo

Lecturer
Applied Legal Studies and Director of the University of Johannesburg Law Clinic
https://www.uj.ac.za/

Natasha Rene Naidoo is a lecturer of Applied Legal Studies and director of the UJ Law Clinic at the University of Johannesburg. Her work combines lecturing, student mentorship, and community engagement, creating meaningful impact both in and beyond the classroom. A typical day involves teaching, conducting student consultations, coordinating projects, engaging with stakeholders on social justice matters, assisting attorneys at the clinic, and performing administrative duties. Natasha’s nurturing approach to students is a source of pride, as it helps them develop confidence and skills. She measures success when former students reach out to share achievements or seek guidance. Her passion for law stems from a deep desire to serve communities whose voices are often unheard. At the UJ Law Clinic, she leads initiatives that integrate legal education with social justice, empowering students while providing critical support to vulnerable communities. Outside work, Natasha enjoys spending time with children,  cherishing their honesty and authenticity. The most valuable lesson she has learned is to trust the timing of life, allowing purpose to unfold with patience and grace. Her guiding advice is simple yet profound: “Don’t change who you are. Stay true to yourself, and you will always succeed.” Integrity and compassion remain central to her leadership, shaping both her professional and personal life.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Laws (LLM),  University of Pretoria
  • LLB degree, University of Johannesburg (RAU)
  • Bachelor of Laws ( LLB), University of the Witwatersrand
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Kamogelo Ditabo

Kamogelo Ditabo

Founder and director
Nexus Legal
https://www.instagram.com/kgosi_ditabo/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamogelo-ditabo-b936391b1?trk=contact-info
https://www.nexuslegal.co.za/

Kamogelo Ditabo is the founder and director of Nexus Legal, a firm dedicated to providing accessible and impactful legal services. Nexus Legal is committed to breaking down barriers in the legal system. Growing up in a previously disadvantaged community, Kamogelo understands the challenges many face and channels this insight into empowering others through law. A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) graduate from the University of South  Africa, she draws on her personal journey from a previously disadvantaged background to guide her mission of empowering her community through law. Her days are varied — she conducts legal research, reviews cases, drafts documents, meets with clients, and collaborates with other professionals. She thrives on solving complex legal challenges while ensuring her work directly improves the lives of those she serves. Continuous learning and professional growth remain central to her approach, keeping her abreast of evolving legal trends. The inspiration for Nexus Legal came from her personal journey, including becoming the first law graduate in her family and funding her studies through side hustles. Kamogelo founded the firm to bridge gaps in access to justice, delivering innovative legal solutions that enable individuals and organizations to thrive. She is most proud of establishing Nexus Legal as a platform for community upliftment. Her guiding principle draws from Maya Angelou: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” For Kamogelo, lifelong learning and meaningful impact go hand in hand.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB ), University of South Africa 

ACHIEVEMENTS

I am most proud of my journey from a previously disadvantaged background to becoming the first graduate in my family with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). This achievement is not just about me; as the family breadwinner, it is about providing for my loved ones and setting a powerful example for them. I have worked tirelessly, funding my education through a side hustle, and I am now awaiting admission as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa. Founding Nexus Legal is a dream come true, allowing me to make a meaningful impact in my community. Every sacrifice has been worth it, knowing that my success has a ripple effect on those around me.

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Kagiso Annette Maphalle

Kagiso Annette Maphalle

Chief director: research and information management
Department of Traditional Affairs
https://www.instagram.com/kagiso_maphalle/?hl=en
https://www.cogta.gov.za/

Kagiso Annette Maphalle, the chief director of Research and Information Management at the Department of Traditional Affairs, is a passionate advocate for the rights of women and children. Her work focuses on strengthening access to justice and equity within customary law,  spanning research on traditional leadership recognition, dispute resolution, the establishment of traditional councils, the documentation of customary succession laws, and advocacy for women’s and children’s rights. She also oversees initiatives supporting land access for rural women, Khoi-San leadership recognition, and the implementation of the Customary Initiation Act. She holds a Master of Laws specialising in African Customary Law from the University of Cape Town and a Certificate in Public Policy from Harvard University. A trained sangoma, Kagiso uniquely merges legal expertise with cultural insight, designing empowerment initiatives that are both effective and culturally informed. Her work has contributed to the 3rd edition of The Law of Persons in South Africa (Oxford University Press), ensuring law students understand legal personhood within traditional contexts and promoting justice for marginalised groups. Kagiso’s guiding philosophy is that a vision need not make sense to others — persistence and results will prove its value. Her inspiration comes from witnessing the challenges women face in rural communities and the lack of African expertise in customary law. She follows the advice: “Whoever tells the story controls the narrative,” using research and advocacy to amplify the voices of women and children and transform lived realities.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master of Laws, University of Cape Town – specialising in African Customary Law
  • Bachelor of Laws, University of Venda
  • Certificate in Public Policy, Harvard University

ACHIEVEMENTS

I am proud of my most recent contribution and participation in the textbook publication The Law of Persons in South Africa, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press, which is a prescribed textbook for first-year law students at all universities in South Africa. This is an important achievement because, for the first time, law students are being taught about the concept of a person as a legal subject from the perspective of traditional settings, which was previously not the case. This ensures that, when the students become qualified lawyers, they are able to serve marginalised groups of people living in rural communities with their legal matters from a place of understanding, which increases access to justice and makes human rights a reality for people living in rural communities.

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