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The Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL) held its tenth anniversary and fundraising dinner on 22 November 2025 in Johannesburg. The event was attended by some members of the judiciary and legal profession from various countries, including Constitutional Court Judge Zukisa Tshiqi, Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division of the High Courts, Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele, Chairperson of Advocates for Transformation, Myron Dewrance, as well as the families of the late Constitutional Court Judge Yvonne Mokgoro and Desiree Finca, the first black woman admitted as an attorney in South Africa. In her welcoming speech, Board Chairperson Elizabeth Adu said that IAWL’s ten years had been an impactful decade marked by many milestones, some of which the organisation had anticipated.
In attendance was a member of the Law Society of South Africa, Marianne Pretorius. (Photo credit: www.africanwil.org)
Ms Adu said: ‘We could not have done it without you. I think everyone here has been with us on this journey. Our partners, our founders, and the many lawyers who accompanied us on this journey. Starting with our Pioneer African Women in Law project, highlighting those who have paved the way for us.’ She added that the country reports on Women in Law and Leadership were fascinating as they gave data on how things have moved forward. She pointed out that IAWL in 2024 launched a Gender Equality in Law Model Policy, which she said she had hoped that law firms would adopt.
The founder of the IAWL, Professor Josephine Jarpa Dawuni, addressed guests at the dinner and reflected on ten lessons that she has learned throughout IAWL’s journey. These included –
- persevere in the face of hardship;
- resilience, emphasising the importance of standing strong even when the wind blows you in the opposite direction;
- the pursuit of excellence in all work undertaken;
- the need to be strategic in both planning and implementation;
- remaining humble;
- seeking wisdom by surrounding oneself with wise people;
- continuous learning, noting the importance of learning from others, including those one teaches;
- forgiveness for those who hurt you, and drawing from those lessons;
- taking time to breathe, pause, and recharge; and
- practicing gratitude by being grateful for everyone who comes your way, whether the experiences are good, challenging, or transformative, as each offers valuable lessons.
Awards were presented to women from various countries in recognition of their excellent work, dedication, and contribution to the legal profession, academia, and the judiciary. The awards were presented in the following categories:
- Pioneer Legacy Award: Desiree Finca
- Judicial Excellence Legacy Award: Justice Florence Mumba
- Academic Excellence Award: Professor Penny Andrews
- International Human Rights Award: Rosine Bela Eyebe
- Rising Star Award: Diana Asonaba Dapaah
- Law Firm of the Year Award: AB & David Africa.
The Johannesburg High Court Judge Shanaaz Mia was also in attendance at the tenth anniversary and fundraising dinner of the Institute for African Women in Law. (Photo credit: www.africanwil.org)
Founder of the Institute for African Women in Law, Professor Josephine Jarpa Dawuni, with Constitutional Court Judge Zukisa Tshiqi, retired Judge Margie Victor, and Board Chairperson Elizabeth Adu. (Photo credit: www.africanwil.org)
Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.
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