Law Student Earns Prestigious Scholarship

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Master of Law student, Mr Anathi Phela, has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to study towards an LLM in International Criminal Law and Criminology at the University College (UCD) in Dublin, Ireland.

The scholarship, one of the many postgraduate study opportunities offered by the Erusmus Mandus Fund will pay for Phela’s tuition, flight tickets and a monthly stipend for the duration of his degree. 

The need to gain a competitive edge over his peers motivated Phela to pursue an LLM at UKZN after completing his LLB at the University of Fort Hare. UKZN’s reputation of having one of the best law schools in South Africa was the deciding factor in his choice.

‘After my LLB I realised I wanted to register for my masters so I did some research and found UKZN’s School of Law to be the best for me. This decision was motivated by the fact that the professors who teach there are experts in their fields and the support staff are amazing.’

Phela said he was motivated to apply for the scholarship because it promotes multidisciplinary learning and he gets to spend a year in one of his favourite countries.

‘My main motivation to pursue this scholarship is really the need within me for self-enrichment. After obtaining my junior degree, I realised that the competition is stiff out there and one needs to make himself stand out. I found that postgraduate studies give you that edge and makes one feel really confident,’ said Phela.

His supervisor, Professor Nomthandazo Ntlama, who fuelled his passion for studying and research described Phela as a humble and polite student and a delight to work with.

‘I am indeed very privilege to have Mr Phela as my Master’s student. He is a very dedicated student in his work and it is apparent from the securing of the scholarship that he is destined for the good things to come in the near future. His decision to further his postgraduate studies attest to his commitment to deepen the horizons of knowledge for the betterment of our country,’ said Ntlama.

After completing his studies, Phela looks forward to exploring his options which include continuing his studies, joining the bar or becoming an academic.