De Rebus/ LexisNexis Post Graduate Legal Bursary
Two postgraduate attorneys realise their dream every year of furthering their studies when they receive bursaries worth R40 000 from De Rebus/ LexisNexis.
Funded by LexisNexis as part of their contribution towards the development and transformation of the legal profession, the two bursaries are awarded to practising attorneys for postgraduate studies at South African universities of their choice.
LexisNexis has always strived to increase the level of legal education in South Africa believing in building the legal profession through effective education. They have thus been offering bursaries for undergraduate legal studies for many years. However, since last year they have partnered with De Rebus to offer a different type of bursary that will allow previously disadvantaged individuals the opportunity to specialise in more complex areas of legal practice. This De Rebus/Lexis Nexis bursary is available to postgraduate students only, offering a full study bursary of R40 000 each covering tuition fees, books, and study expenses.
In addition to the R40 000, the candidates are given free access to My LexisNexis online for the duration of study and all prescribed LexisNexis Butterworths textbooks are provided. The candidates also have the opportunity to submit articles relating to their field of research, for possible publication in De Rebus.
Qualifying from thousands of applicants in 2007 were an ecstatic Samuel Masina and Siyasanga Kumalo based in Pretoria and Cape Town respectively. Both can be described as highly motivated and driven individuals.
Masina started his career as a legal advisor for the Automobile Association before serving his articles at a law firm and finally rising up to Professional Assistant level at his current employer Mothle Jooma Sabdia Incorporated.
Originally from Mpumalanga, Masina left the comforts of home to study full time at the University of Durban Westville for his BProc degree in 1998. He also holds a Certificate in Medicine and Law and a Post grad Diploma in Labour Law. “I intend using this bursary to study a LLM in either Labour Law, Constitutional Law or Medicine in Law. These are my three options.” said Masina. “Specialising in my field further will definitely open up new doors of opportunity for me.” he added.
LLB graduate Siyasanga Kumalo, who almost missed the bursary application deadline, was delighted to be a recipient of the bursary, which she intends using to study for her Masters Degree in International Trade Law.
"it’s an opportunity to further my education by specialising in International Trade Law and maybe someday it will help me play a meaningful role in the development of the South African economy for the benefit of the South African society at large” said Kumalo. This Junior Associate in Corporate Services at Webber Wentzel Bowens started as a Candidate Attorney in 2005 before working her way up the ranks. Kumalo believes that the bursary is a great initiative and will now afford her the opportunity to study in the filed of law which was previously dominated by males.