Meet the SAJHR's 2025 Postgraduate Top-up Bursary holders

A South African lawyer and human rights advocate with a strong commitment to social justice, transparency, and accountability, Abongile Nkamisa obtained her LLB from Walter Sisulu University and began her legal career at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) at Wits University, where she completed her articles of clerkship. During her time at CALS, she worked across key areas including business and human rights, civil and political rights, home land and rural, democracy, environmental justice, and gender justice, supporting grassroots struggles and systemic advocacy. In 2022, she served as a law clerk at the Constitutional Court of South Africa. Abongile is currently a lawyer at Open Secrets, a civil society organisation that works to hold private sector actors accountable for economic crimes.

A 23-year-old postgraduate student enrolled at the University of Zululand, Samukelo Celimpilo Praiseworthy Mbatha holds an LLB degree from the same institution, where he cultivated a deep passion for constitutional law, gender equality and transformative justice in South Africa. His academic journey has been marked by consistent dedication, strong research capabilities, and a growing interest in using the law as a tool to advance social justice. Samukelo’s research focuses on evaluating employment law reform in relation to parental leave provisions in South Africa. Through his research, he aims to contribute to policy recommendations that support inclusive, equitable labour practices and promote substantive gender equality. Beyond academics, Samukelo has been involved in student governance and community outreach initiatives aimed at improving access to legal knowledge for underprivileged communities. These experiences have reinforced his commitment to using legal education not only for academic advancement but also for meaningful societal impact.

Mutshidzi Makwarela holds an LLB from the University of Limpopo and is currently pursuing an LLM in Public Law at the University of Pretoria. Her love for legal research was ignited in her final year when she selected the module for legal research as one of electives. She believes that legal research affords her the opportunity to advocate for human rights and will continue to do so. Receiving the South African Journal on Human Rights has provided not just financial relief but also motivation to continue striving for academic and professional excellence. “I am incredibly grateful for the support and belief that the South African Journal on Human Rights has shown in my potential.”

An LLM candidate in human rights law at the University of Venda, Ofentse Ngobeni is originally from Bela-Bela, Limpopo. She completed her LLB at the University of Venda. Raised by her grandmother after the passing of her mother in 2014, Ofentse credits her resilience and compassion to the values instilled in her during her upbringing. During her undergraduate studies, she served as a class representative and worked as a tutor and mentor at the Centre for Higher Education Teaching and Learning. She also supported student wellbeing as a peer helper and served in the Student Representative Council’s Housing Representative Council. In the Univen Moot Court Club, she held executive roles as deputy secretary and deputy chairperson, where she developed a strong foundation in legal advocacy. Ofentse’s passion for human rights is rooted in her lived experiences and her a belief that law should be a tool for empowerment and transformation.

The oldest daughter to a mother of three, Thandokaz Nyanga comes from Vredenburg, a small town at the outskirts of Cape Town. Her journey began at the tender age of 17 when she was a member of a junior town council, a programme that developed a deep concern for humanity in her. She completed her LLB at the University of the Western Cape, resolute to merge this newly found passion with an intended career. The idea of social justice and human rights is central to her devotion to law. She considers personal milestones attributable to a collective’s dedication to the cause of human rights. Her journey has not been without hurdles. However, relentless pursuit has carried her. She is currently completing her LLM in human rights protection at the University of the Western Cape and holds the position of legal intern with the Commission for Gender Equality in the Western Cape, where she continues to learn. Thandokaz is looking forward to growing in the field.

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 2026 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.