Anshal Bodasing

Anshal is an admitted advocate of the High Court of South Africa and a former member of the Johannesburg Bar.

She completed her BA, LLB, and LLM degrees at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal (Howard College). Anshal’s brief legal career highlights include clerking for Justice Albie Sachs at the Constitutional Court of South Africa, serving as a Commissioner in the Press Freedom Commission, chaired by former Chief Justice, Pius Langa and spending a portion of her practice at the Constitutional Litigation Unit at the Legal Resources Centre between 2010 and 2011. Anshal re-joined the LRC in 2021 where she is presently the Manager in the Office of the Director.

“I would like to be known as someone who made a concerted and consistent effort to see the constitutional project succeed.”

Cecile van Schalkwyk

Cecile is an attorney in the Makhanda office of the LRC and works in both the Land Programme and the Education Programme.
She completed her BA (LLB), LLB, and LLM degrees at the University of Stellenbosch and has worked for the LRC since 2016.

“In the future I would like to continue contributing to work that changes the lives of marginalised people.”

Cameron McConnachie

Cameron is the co-lead of the education programme and is based in the LRC’s Makhanda office.

He holds a teaching diploma and a master’s degree in education policy from UCT, and an LLB from Rhodes University. Cameron’s practice at the LRC has focused on education work. He has been the lead attorney on several seminal pieces of litigation which has given content to the right to basic education on issues such as infrastructure, furniture, scholar transport, and stationery.

“I see the law as a potentially very effective way to bring about large scale, necessary change in the education system.”

Delysia Weah

Delysia brings more than 15 years of administrative and secretarial experience to her role. Before joining the LRC in 2009, she worked at the City of Johannesburg as an executive assistant and as an operations manager for stakeholder relations. Delysia obtained her BBA from UNISA and holds a qualification in paralegal studies from SA Law School. She is pursuing a post-graduate qualification through the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa.

“In the future I hope to introduce sound governance procedures, to contribute to an effective and sustainable company, and be an ambassador in my profession.”

Devon Turner

Devon is an attorney at the Cape Town office, where he is a member of the International Networks of Civil Liberties Organisations, African Internet Rights Alliance and is currently engaged in work on digital rights and the right to education.

He holds an LLB degree (summa cum laude) from the University of the Western Cape and an LLM degree in International and Comparative Law at Trinity College Dublin as a Kader Asmal Fellowship recipient. Devon is a former Bertha Justice Initiative fellow. He completed his articles at the Legal Resources Centre.

“I have a passion for public interest law and believes that the law is a catalyst for positive societal transformation.”

Ektaa Deochand

Ektaa is an attorney in the land program at the LRC. She is currently based in the Johannesburg office.

She completed her LLB and LLM in Constitutional Litigation at UKZN. Ektaa’s focus areas include redistribution of land; access to community resources; traditional governance; and women’s equitable access to resources.

Feeyaz Mohamed

Feeyaz joined LRC as a Project Accountant.

His previous financial management experience includes roles in the within the construction and engineering, government and information technology sectors.

“In the future I would like to see improved safety and service delivery for all in South Africa.”

Esme Wardle

Esme joined at the LRC in 1995, working first as a receptionist and accounts assistant in the National Office.

In 2006 she was appointed as the Office Administrator for the National office. This included working jointly with all the lawyers in the LRC arranging their travel needs when cases are heard in different provinces and outside the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

“After 25 years I still honour the wonderful work the LRC is doing.”

Goodness Maumo

Goodness is a candidate attorney based in the LRC’s Makhanda office.

She holds an LLB from Rhodes University and is currently completing an LLM from the same institution. Her work at the LRC involves research into basic education.

Kiara Govender

Kiara is a candidate attorney based in the Durban office. She obtained her LLB with distinction from the IIE’s Varsity College, where she served as the Juridical Society Chairperson and Student Head of the School for Law.

“I am committed to social justice and exploring ways to address the ongoing climate crisis.”

Kimal Harvey

Kimal is a candidate attorney in the Cape Town office.

Kimal holds LLB and BSC degrees from the University of Cape Town (UCT). While completing his Honours, Kimal worked as a tutor in the Political Sciences Department. Prior to his LLB he worked as an intern at the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, thereafter he interned twice at the LRC’s Cape Town offices. While completing his studies at UCT, he was the Transformation Representative for the 2020 Faculty of Law Student Council and worked as a student legal advisor at the UCT Law Clinic.

“In the future I hope to contribute to a better future for South Africa by providing the best redress and assistance to our clients as possible.”

Kiren Rutsch

Kiren is a Candidate Attorney based in the Durban office.

He holds a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Cape Town. While studying he also served as the president of a non-profit organization working with small business owners in developing communities around Cape Town. He has previously interned at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies and at the LRC.

“I am optimistic that public interest legal work is uniquely positioned to effect positive change and so, by my own personal development in the field, I would like to use my professional position to make a difference.”

Kristen Abrahams

Kristen is an LLB graduate, who has also received her Honours in English Literature from Wits University.

Previously, she worked at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, in a space dedicated to strengthening democracy in South Africa.

“Through the use and reform of the law, I hope to continue contributing to this, and other spaces, at the LRC. I am passionate about ensuring that all people have the opportunities and resources needed to live dignified lives.”

Lerato Lebotse

Lerato is a receptionist based in the LRC’s national office.

Lerato has over 13 years of experience, which includes working for both NGOs and the private sector. She holds a National Certificate in Tourism and Reception.

Mathuto Mashego

Mathuto joined the LRC in August 2023 as a Grants Management Officer. She currently holds a MSc in Business Development and a Bachelor’s in Economics and International Trade. Prior to joining the LRC, she worked for the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR), in the Fundraising and Business Development department. She has been involved in raising and managing funds for projects addressing development issues such as peacebuilding, conflict resolution, gender, youth and regional reconciliation in Africa.

She has also worked as a Technical Advisory intern at the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) South Africa in the Good Financial Governance (GFG) programme. Mathuto is passionate about community development and addressing socio-economic issues in the world. She aspires to work with philanthropists’ tackling human rights issues in rural communities.

Mlamli Tyhulu

Mlamli is a candidate attorney based in the Cape Town office.

He is currently pursuing an LLM degree in Transnational Criminal Justice from the University of the Western Cape.

“I am a passionate activist who believes that I can meaningfully contribute to human rights law, through my love for justice, literature, and people.”

Madile Mashanini

Madile joined the LRC in October 2012 is currently a Human Resources Officer.

Madile continues to support the organisation with all personnel related administrative duties, ranging from recruitment to employee wellbeing and overall payroll and benefits support.

“I believe that there must be improved norms and standards at basic and higher education levels in South Africa, allowing all children in the country access to quality education. The disparity between public and private education in the land is deeply concerning and if the scales remain as unbalanced, we will never come close to reducing the gap between the haves and the have nots.”

Moray Hathorn

Moray is an attorney, notary and conveyancer with extensive experience in land reform, the law relating to traditional authorities and the right to housing and gender equality.

Moray has most recently worked on cases and issues arising from the State Capture phenomenon and in cases on behalf of the families of victims of brutality at the hands of the former Security Branch of the apartheid regime. Previously, he spent 15 years working at the Legal Resource Centre before being appointed to found and head the Public Interest Law Unit at Webber Wentzel attorneys in 2003. He returned to practice as an attorney and to mentor junior lawyers at the LRC in January 2023. Moray has BA and LLB degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2018 he was recognised as African Attorney of the year – partner level.

“I would like to see a South Africa in which young people can look forward to a fulfilling and dignified life, a life in which they can live assured of proper health care and a decent education, a life in which they and their families can be properly housed, a life in which they can enjoy good jobs and incomes sufficient to sustain and enable their families and children to reach their full potential.”

Muyenga Mugerwa-Sekawabe

Muyenga (he/him) is an attorney based in the LRC Cape Town office.

He holds BSC, LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Cape Town (UCT). His LLM dissertation was on the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association by LGBT non-governmental organizations in Africa. Whilst completing his LLM, Muyenga worked as a teaching assistant in the Department of Public Law at UCT. Muyenga also worked as an Associate Editor for the South African Journal on Human Rights.

“I am passionate about working in the public interest litigation sector and I have a particular interest in refugee, children’s and LGBTQIA+ rights.”

Nicholas Chetwin

Nicholas is responsible for Finance and is based in Johannesburg.

He has a BSc from UCT and an MBA from Wits. Having started his career in IT he segued into finance and was financial director of an IT company for many years. He joined the LRC in 2019.

Ona Xolo

Ona is an attorney in both the LRC Education and Land programmes. She is based in the LRC’s Makhanda office.

Ona holds an LLB from the University of Free State (UFS) and is currently completing her LLM, with a specialization in International Human Rights law, from the University of London (UoL). She has a passion for public interest litigation in the following areas: constitutional rights to education, Equality, discrimination, and security of land tenure.

“I have always believed that the law was the best approach to hold the state accountable while also empowering communities and individuals.”

Saadiyah Kadwa

Saadiyah is an attorney in the land programme. She is based in the Cape Town office.

She completed her LLB at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. From 2019-2020, she was a candidate attorney at the LRC. Saadiyah’ s area of focus includes the right of access to adequate housing as well as security of tenure.

“My hope for the future of South Africa is that our government at all levels begin to work for the people, that the actual interests of poor and marginalised people are furthered.”

Sandile Zwane

Sandile is a grants management officer. In the past he has worked for a range of civil society organisations and tertiary education institutions, including the South African Reflect Network (SARN), the Centre for Education Rights and Transformation (CERT) and the Wits Health Consortium. His previous roles have included researcher, research assistant team leader and field manager.

“My hope for the future of South Africa is low crime, improved literacy at primary schools, no loadshedding and for all South Africans to have enough clean water.”
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Sandra Govender

Sandra has been an Administrator of the Durban office since 2012.

“I believe that administration is the backbone of daily business operation, and a good manager makes it possible for other people to function efficiently.”

Sanele Nkambule

Sanele joined the LRC in 2018 as Finance Officer.

He holds a Bachelor of Accounting graduate degree from the University of Johannesburg.

“I have an interest in helping people so working for an organization like LRC fulfils my heart know that we make a difference in people’s lives and protect the rights of the most vulnerable.”

Shaatirah Baboo Hassim

Shaatirah is an attorney and part of a mentorship program where she is a mentor for girl learners in the Riverlea area in Johannesburg as part of her service to communities.

“I am passionate about children’s rights and the need to ensure access to education for every child. I am committed to enhancing social justice for aggrieved individuals.”

Shaista Bhabha

Shaista is a Finance Officer at the LRC.

She is an accountant with a passion for numbers and technology with many years of experience in the field. Throughout her career she has worked with both small businesses and large corporations.
She combines her financial expertise with a growing knowledge of cloud architecture while she pursues her certification as an AWS Solutions Architect.

“My goal is to provide accurate financial information; help the organisation make informed decisions; and contribute to its long-term success through sound financial management practices.”

Sharita Samuel

After graduating, Sharita commenced work with the legal division of a commercial bank before joining the Legal Resources Centre’s Fellowship Programme. She then registered as an articled clerk and on being admitted to the roll of attorneys, was invited to serve as an LRC attorney. Between 1995 and 2009 she litigated, advocated, trained, and published precedent setting family law and equality and anti-discrimination cases from a constitutional and socio-economic perspective. This included working with the Southern African Legal Assistance Network to train on equality and discrimination issues in Namibia, Malawi and Zambia; serving as a director on the board of Agenda – a feminist media project that advances publishing opportunities for black women writers; lecturing at the Workers College and training union members and factory workers on labour economics and workers’ rights and then working in partnership with Global Rights (Washington) and the Canadian Bar Association to provide strategic equality rights litigation training for lawyers from Southern Africa, the Maghreb and East Asia.

In 2010 Sharita commenced her private law practice specialising in labour; alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and family law and returned to the Legal Resources Centre as the regional director in Durban in 2016. She currently holds that position as well as co-leading the LRC Land Programme. She attributes her passion for public interest law and advocacy to her training by a generation of outstanding LRC lawyers and a deep interest in the intersection between race, class, gender, and the human rights axes. She remains committed to improving her contribution to benefit LRC clients.

Sheniece Linderboom

Sheniece joined the LRC’s education team in 2021 and is currently based in the Durban office. She holds an LLB degree from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and was admitted as an attorney in 2012.

Her previous roles include heading up the Freedom of Expression Institute law clinic with a short stint as Acting Executive Director, as well as working for SECTION27’s education rights programme.

Sherylle Dass

Sherylle works in the Education Programme, and also drives the ‘agile’ strategy of the LRC.

Sherylle previous roles include managing attorney of Harris, Nupen, Molebatsi Inc, where she practiced Philanthropy Law, servicing various non-profit organisations. Prior to this Sherylle was a senior attorney at the Equal Education Law Centre and from 2007 to 2013 she managed the Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme in Durban at Lawyers for Human Rights.

She holds various positions on Boards of Non-Profit Organisations. She served as the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Sonke Gender Justice and an executive committee member on the Board of Refugee Social Services.

Sindisiwe Shozi

Sindisiwe is an attorney in the LRC Land Programme, based in the Durban office. She holds an LLB from the University of KwaZulu Natal. Sindisiwe completed her articles at the LRC from in 2017. Prior to re-joining the LRC, she practiced as an attorney and worked in office administration.

“I've always been passionate about helping those around me. I love the law and how it can be used as a powerful tool to fight for justice.”

Sipesihle Mguga

Sipesihle is the co-lead of the legacy programme and is based in the Makhanda office.

She holds a BA in Film and Media Production from the University of Cape Town and an LLB from the University of South Africa, which she obtained while teaching English in South Korea. Sipesihle joined the LRC in February 2019. Her practice focuses on mainly land, education, and access to justice.

Prior to the LRC, she worked at the Rhodes University Law Clinic for three years as a candidate attorney and a junior attorney. From 1 July – 30 September 2021, she was Acting Magistrate at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development at the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court.

Thabo Ramphobole

Thabo is the LRC’s Communications Coordinator.

Thabo holds a BA in Media, Communications and Culture from the Nelson Mandela University. He also holds a master’s degree in media studies with a particular focus on the use of digital technologies for political communication by marginalized groups of people.

In previous roles Thabo honed his skills in media production, content strategy, and audience engagement, working across a range of media disciplines. He has also worked in the NGO sector as a Film and Media Specialist and the international private sector working as a Digital Media Specialist.

“I aspire to be a trusted advisor and advocate for effective communication, leveraging my skills and expertise to create compelling narratives, engage diverse audiences, and drive positive change.”

Toney Leong

Toney is currently responsible for customising an internationally recognised off-the-shelf software system to reflect LRC’s business processing requirements.

He is an information technology developer with experience ranging from the manufacturing sector, motor industry, insurance sector and banking.

Topsy Mackenzie

Topsy joined the LRC in January 1993 as a personal assistant for a semi blind candidate attorney, Webster Sekwati, who was serving his articles at the LRC. She was appointed to be his personal aid and assisted him in preparation for his attorney admission examinations.

Topsy has completed practical training and short courses in financial and administration management, payroll administration diploma, and practical bookkeeping and taxation courses.

In November 1993, she was appointed as the office assistant in the National Office. She applied for the position of office administrator in July 2000, and thereafter worked as the Librarian assistant in 2006. She started working as payroll administrator in January 2008.

Tsukudu Moroeng

Tsukudu is a Trainee Attorney at the Johannesburg office where he works in the Education, Land and Legacy Programmes.

He obtained his BA, LLB and LLM (cum laude) degrees at Rhodes University. He was previously a Teaching and Research Assistant and Lecturer at the Rhodes University Law Department. Before joining the LRC, he interned at the Makhanda office in 2019.

Tumelo Machaba

Tumelo is a Candidate Attorney in the Johannesburg office, working in the Education, Land and Legacy Programmes at the LRC.

She completed her LLB degree (with Distinction) from the University of Limpopo in 2022. She is currently completing an international exchange program with Unievangelica (Brazil) for human rights studies. She also completed a research project with University of Siena (Italy) on Global Social Justice.

“Helping people is one of my core values and that is why I chose to study law. Now, I'm able to use the law to help people with the simplest to the most complex of issues.”

Wilmien Wicomb

Wilmien is the co-lead of the land programme, based at the Cape Town office.

Wilmien has previously specialised in land reform, African customary law, and community governance systems, in particular as it relates to community rights to natural resources such as land, fishing, and other extractives.

She has been active in policy and law reform to further the democratisation of rural communities, ensuring the equality of customary communities and enforcing their rights to determine their own development paths. She has published on customary law, the right to development and free, prior, and informed consent in the African context, and the rights of women living under customary systems.

Yoemna Saint

Yoemna is the Programme Coordinator and Grants Management Officer in the Education Programme at the Legal Resources Centre.

Yoemna holds an Honours Degree in Adult Education and Training and is currently completing her master’s degree in education. Yoemna has extensive experience in grant monitoring and donor relations, programme coordination, organisational development, monitoring and evaluation.

“My passion for community development and adult education started 28 years ago and I have worked in the NGO sector since then. Capacity building, development of communities and institutional strengthening has been key in my practice, and I continue to believe that it plays an integral part of social change and social justice.”

Yanela Frans

Yanela holds a BA Law and International Relations and an LLB from Wits.

She completed an internship at Lawyers For Human Rights and is also an Allan Gray Fellow.

Zi Channing

Zi is currently working on creating an automated system to reflect LRC processes.

Her career path has combined dispute resolution knowledge together with implementing automated systems to improve the effectiveness of operations.
Her previous roles include Head of Case Management at the inception of the CCMA, secretariat duties in the Labour Market chamber of Nedlac, SARS HR special projects, BBBEE employee share ownership schemes for a private company, MEIBC project management and COO at Tokiso.

“In the future I would like all South Africans to be jointly accountable for supporting a constitutional democracy that aligns with genuine economic growth, fair access to clean water, electricity, medical care, education, transport, and the values of dignity and respect.”

Zulfa Mohammed

Zulfa is an office administrator in the Cape Town office. She started her journey with the LRC in 2012 as a legal secretary, offering support services to the LRC’s Education Team. She has over 20 years of legal secretarial and administrative experience. For the past 3 years she has managed the Cape Town office as an office administrator.

“I believe that an office needs good managing and a team willing to work together to run efficiently.”