UKZN Alumnus on Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans List

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Law graduate Mr Muhammad Zakaria Suleman has made it onto the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans for 2014 list in the Civil Society category.

Suleman’s constitutional education and advocacy for people with disabilities through his work with  public interest law organisation, SECTION27, earned him a place on the list which recognises outstanding young individuals who will play an important role in the future of South Africa.

‘When there was a call for nominations for the list, myself and about 1 600 others were nominated by people who knew about the work we were involved in. The motivation was sent to a panel, and the panel selected the 200 that met their criteria. I am extremely humbled I was among those selected,’ said Suleman.

His primary area of research is in disability rights which saw him create awareness for the plight of students with visual impairment and physical challenges through being founder of the Visually Impaired Positivism organisation and its Head Co-ordinator during his academic career at UKZN’S School of Law.

‘I developed a deep interest in and commitment to the rights of people with disabilities from the second year of my LLB.

The School of Law encouraged excellence and for us as students to excel both academically and in any causes we undertook,’ he said.

In keeping with his passion, his duties as a researcher at SECTION27 include research support, drafting court papers, working with communities they represent, and preparing and presenting workshops on understanding different rights. He is also involved in food rights, constitutional literacy as well as research providing support for cases involving access to education for learners with disabilities.

Suleman has been appointed by Mr Justice van der Westhuizen to clerk for him at the Constitutional Court. His tasks in the new position include assisting the judge with research, identifying key issues, taking detailed notes during oral argument, assistance with administrative work, preparing pre-trial memorandum and cite-checking judgements.

His future academic plans include pursing a postgraduate qualification in Law.

‘I would like to pursue a Masters in Law exploring the intersection equality has with realising the rights of people with disabilities as well as going to the Bar as an Advocate of the High Court.

‘I also have a passion for writing and would like to contribute to the high level of opinion writing South Africa produces. I have written for the Daily Maverick, Daily Vox and GroundUp,’ said Suleman.

- Thandiwe Jumo