Meet the SAJHR's five 2024 Postgraduate Top-up Bursary holders
Born and raised in Tshilungwi Village, Limpopo, Magau Londani is one of three brothers raised by a single mom following the death of his father when Magau was only three years old. He excelled at Tshilungwi Primary School and Vhutavhatsindi Secondary School, earning the best student award at both institutions. He was elected as the president of the Learner Representative Council in Grade 12, developing leadership skills and sense of responsibility. Magau completed his LLB at the University of Venda (UV) and has been the deputy chairperson of the Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law from 2022. He’s currently pursuing his LLM in human rights law at the UV, aiming to make a meaningful impact in the legal profession and become a voice for those who are marginalised and oppressed. In his free time, Magau enjoys reading legal arguments, writing poems and tutoring law modules.
Passionate and driven, 25-five-year old Sanele Macekiswana is an LLM student in human rights protection at the University of Western Cape. Her heart beats for social justice and the protection of human rights. She grew up in rural Cicirha in the Eastern Cape in a marginalised community. Growing up, she witnessed countless violations that developed her commitment to protect human rights. She is dedicated to becoming a voice for the voiceless and champion of change when it comes to the protection of human rights. Sanele’s ultimate goal is to work for international organisations, governments and local communities dedicated to protecting human rights and holding accountable those responsible for violating these.
Lebo Collins Manzini comes from Kgautswane, a small village near Burgersfort, Limpopo. From his humble beginnings, he embarked on a journey that has shaped his life into advocating for justice and equality. He attended Ntabane Secondary School and matriculated in 2017. He graduated with an LLB from the University of Limpopo in 2021 and is now pursuing an LLM at the same institution. His specialisation is development and management law. His passion for human rights was initially kindled by the injustices and inequalities he witnessed in Kgautswane. Incensed by the plight of women in his community, Lebo delved into customary practices, focusing particularly on women's property rights. His dissertation illuminates the shadows of discrimination and inequality that plague his village, and he hopes to shed light on the cultural practices that violate women's rights. His dissertation has not merely been an academic endeavour but a manifesto for change. It echoes the voices of the voiceless, demanding justice, equality and dignity for all. Lebo is a candidate attorney, a testament to the transformative power of education and advocacy.
Kgomotso Sekonyane holds an LLB with distinction and is pursuing an interdisciplinary LLM in human rights at the University of the Free State (UFS). Throughout her academic journey, she has advocated for student rights and fostering a supportive academic community. She is currently the vice prime: discipline and seniors at House Imperium, and a graduate advisor for the UFS chapter of the collegiate honour society Golden Key International. Her leadership has contributed to a more inclusive and dynamic university environment. Kgomotso's work is driven by a deep-seated belief in justice and equality. Her academic and extracurricular achievements reflect her unwavering commitment to these principles. She holds a Dean’s merit list medal and was named the best student in civil procedure law in 2022. She is in the top 15 per cent of Golden Key’s academically excelling students. As she continues her studies in human rights, Kgomotso aims to leverage her knowledge and leadership skills to advocate for marginalised communities and effect lasting social change.
Gudani Tshikota graduated with an LLB from the University of Pretoria in 2020 with various academic accolades including Golden Key International honours. He made the Dean’s merit list twice during his undergraduate studies. Gudani has published academic articles and has written on current and legislative affairs in South Africa. He is currently completing his LLM under the South African Research chair for Law, Equality and Justice at the University of Witwatersrand. His research explores the possibilities of inclusive and positive masculinities within the Xhosa cultural custom of ulwaluko (circumcision). A finalist for the reality show One Day Leader and a World Merit leader, Gudani is an activist at heart.
About the bursary
The South African Journal on Human Rights provides ‘top-up’ funding to postgraduate students. Every year, the SAJHR will award one or more top-up bursaries to the value of R30 000 to LLB graduates pursuing LLM studies dealing with constitutional, human rights and/or justice-related issues in any field at any South African public university. The bursary award is a once-off payment to assist eligible students to cover their costs of study. The call for the 2025 bursary will go out in the first half of the year.
About the journal
Founded in 1985 by the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) and housed at the School of Law, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the South African Journal on Human Rights (or SAJHR) is the leading South African public law journal, publishing scholarship of the highest standard for a worldwide readership. The journal is dedicated to the advancement of scholarship on human rights, constitutional and justice-related law in South Africa.