The President of the Law Society of South Africa, Mvuzo Notyesi, launched the Conveyancing Mentorship Programme in Mthatha.

Following the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) Conveyancing Task Team’s recent recommendations for interventions to address the apparent high failure rate in conveyancing examinations, the LSSA has launched a pilot project for the Conveyancing Mentorship Programme. This mentorship initiative forms part of the recommendations placed before the Legal Practice Council (LPC), which is responsible for regulating the examinations.

The pilot project was launched on 1 and 2 August via roadshows held in both Mthatha and Polokwane. In Mthatha, the roadshow was presented by the President of the LSSA, Mvuzo Notyesi, and Task Team members Sinawo Makangela and Lizette Burger. The Vice-President of the LSSA, Denise Mabaeng Lenyai, presented in Polokwane.

The LSSA has indicated it hopes to obtain the buy-in from all the mentors and mentees who attended the roadshows. A total of 31 potential mentors and mentees attended in Mthatha, and eight in Polokwane. During the roadshow, the parties were given the opportunity to meet and form mentorship links. To date, three mentoring groups have been formed in Mthatha consisting of three mentors and nine mentees. In Polokwane, one group was formed with two mentors and six mentees. In addition, two external mentors have agreed to assist with the mentoring process in Polokwane. While the LSSA will make every effort to link the remaining mentees to mentors, this will depend on the number of mentors available in the mentee’s preferred geographical area.

The launch of the Conveyancing Mentorship Programme took place in Mthatha on 1 and 2 August. From left: Mentee, Khanyiso Mdzanga; Mentee, Anelisa Gqulu; Mentee, Thembelani Mnyaka; and Law Society of South Africa Conveyancing Task Team member, Sinawo Makangela.

The mentorship process will take place through one-on-one and group mentorship, WhatsApp and Facebook groups.

The mentees, along with other students, will also be able to take advantage of past examination papers and model answers, which will shortly be made freely available on the LSSA’s website. In addition, the LSSA will arrange for conveyancing courses to be offered in areas close to Mthatha and Polokwane.

Mentors and mentees attended the launched the Conveyancing Mentorship Programme in Mthatha. From left: Mentee, Nompelo Balfour; mentee, Sinovuyo Mbawu; mentor, Xolani Graham Mpeto; and mentee Sibusisiwe Kitana.

The LSSA hopes that by sharing their skills, knowledge, experience and expertise, mentors will play a considerable role in helping the candidates pass the examinations successfully. The pilot project will assist the LSSA to catch potential problems and prevent them from escalating, as well as establish proven effective policies before full implementation of the national programme occurs.

The LSSA is optimistic that the mentorship programme, when fully implemented, will successfully change the landscape of conveyancing in a very positive way.

The Vice-President of the Law Society of South Africa, Denise Mabaeng Lenyai (third from the right), presented the Conveyancing Mentorship Programme roadshow in Polokwane. From left: Mentee, Gift Hlongwane; mentee, Tlou Bontle Chokoe; mentee group leader, Bethuel Monakisi; mentee, Mathabatha Makgobatlou; mentee, Temosho Muroa (back); Ms Lenyai; mentor Ngoako Chipu and mentor Cavin Mnisi. Absent from the photo is mentee, Kholofelo Seabi.

Issued on behalf of the Law Society of South Africa’s Conveyancing Task Team.