The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) held a Youth Day event on 30 June 2023 in Pretoria. The President of the LSSA, Eunice Masipa, together with some candidate legal practitioners from Legal Education and Development’s Practical Vocational Training School for Legal Practice and staff of the LSSA visited with children from Child Welfare Tshwane’s Bramley Children’s Home to spend some time with them and share some words of inspiration.

Ms Masipa shared some joyful moments with the children and youth, which included a Macarena dance challenge. She spoke to the children, telling the them that she has attended many speaking engagements at events organised by the LSSA, however, speaking at the LSSA Youth Day was an event which is close to her heart, as it was a humbling experience. She said that it has always been the wish of the LSSA to give back to the youth in a tangible way that is not a once off event. ‘I am happy to announce that this event is not a once-off event, but the first event of the LSSA’s outreach programme aimed at uplifting the youth of South Africa, which includes candidate legal practitioners,’ Ms Masipa said.

Ms Masipa pointed out that as an organisation that represents legal practitioners, the LSSA thought it was imperative that the legal profession gives back to the youth of South Africa (SA). She added that the legal profession has so much it can give back to society, especially when it comes to legal knowledge and educating society on its rights and responsibilities within the parameters of the law. ‘For our youth today, we want to educate the children from Child Welfare Tshwane on their rights as children and possible repercussions of bad choices,’ Ms Masipa added.

The Law Society of South Africa President, Eunice Masipa visited with children from Child Welfare Tshwane’s Bramley Children’s Home to spend some time with them and share some words of inspiration.

Ms Masipa added that the LSSA wants to address the issues that children have in general, but also on the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 and the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977. She said that the LSSA wanted to educate the children about their rights and understanding of the law and most importantly for them to understand their limitations. ‘The aim of this event is not only to give back to the youth of our country as the LSSA but also foster the habit of giving back to society and to our candidate legal practitioners, hence why we brought the students from the Pretoria School,’ she said.

Ms Masipa added: ‘One of the most famous lawyers of our time who has given so much to our country, Nelson Mandela, once said: “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.” This is the stance of the LSSA, and we would like to invite other legal practitioners to follow suit.’ Ms Masipa concluded by conveying a special word of thanks to the Child Welfare Tshwane for agreeing to work with the LSSA on the programme. ‘I would also like to convey my gratitude to [LSSA’s Executive Director Anthony Pillay] and the team for putting all this together, it is truly appreciated,’ Ms Masipa added.

The children received goodie bags, enjoyed a nice lunch and engaged in fun activities, which included face painting, a jumping castle, soccer game and an exciting exclusive live performance by South Africa’s first blind rapper, radio presenter and motivational speaker, Tebogo Aubrey Poopedi, famously known as Mr TAP.

Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.