Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi has emphasised that the transformation of the legal sector remains integral to sustaining South Africa’s democracy.
On Monday, the Minister met with legal practitioners in a stakeholder engagement as part of government’s efforts to strengthen collaboration and advance transformation within the legal sector.
The Minister, who gave her remarks after the stakeholders had their say, noted that the session highlighted that there remain pockets of “resistance” to transformation in the sector.
“Most studies have indicated that the transformation of the legal profession is facing resistance by established players who have benefited from the status quo, and this has also manifested itself with legal challenges against the legal sector code.
“There are still many barriers that restrict the careers of talented black and female lawyers, including racist treatment, sexual harassment, and briefing patterns which give preference to white men.
“That can’t be ignored. It cannot be that it is not acknowledged that transformation is necessary in this sector, because the worst off in this sector remain the black women. We are going to have to work together…in partnership to be able to fight the resistance and transform our sector,” Kubayi said.
The Minister has instructed all State Attorney Offices to hold quarterly stakeholder engagements to deepen transformation even further.
A tool of economic freedom
Kubayi highlighted the importance of transformation as a source of economic freedom.
“For us to have a country and its democracy being sustainable, everybody must feel part of this country, including economically. Political freedom without economic freedom is meaningless. So, [legal] briefs and opportunities remain critical,” she said.
Turning to the Constitution, which commemorates 30 years since its adoption, the Minister noted that it enjoins the government to address past injustice and discrimination.
“It says to us that it is time for us to pause and reflect on the journey that we have travelled, renew ourselves in terms of the mandate and values, and principles of the Constitution.
“More importantly, transformation does not mean replacement of white faces with black faces. It’s about building a non-racial society. That’s what the Constitution says.
“But the Constitution also calls on us to address the injustices of the past,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
