Pretoria – North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has extended his congratulations to Dr Sejake Senatle, who has recently been conferred the Senior Counsel (SC) Award by President Jacob Zuma.
Premier Mahumapelo said the recognition earned by Dr Senatle, SC -- who is the first and the only black member of the North West Bar Association with a doctoral law degree (LLD) -- should serve to motivate his peers, colleagues in the legal fraternity and learners from humble beginnings to pursue their dreams to reach greater heights.
Senatle started working underground as a rock drill operator in the mines.
“We wish to congratulate and applaud Dr Senatle on his outstanding achievement, which is a triumph of the human spirit and a determination to rise against all odds,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
The Premier said Senatle’s achievement should be celebrated as yet another milestone for the legal profession in North West.
Senatle follows in the footsteps of prominent barristers like Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng; retired Judge of the Constitutional Court and now chairperson of the South African Law Reform Commission, Justice Yvonne Mokgoro; Justice Bess Nkabinde-Mmono of the Constitutional Court; Judge President Monica Leeuw of the North West High Court; Judge President Frans Kgomo of the Northern Cape High Court; the late Advocate Kgosi George Montshiwa and the late Judge Jompa Chulu – who all hail from the North West.
Senatle, who served in the public service in various capacities for over 20 years, obtained his BJuris and LLB in 1989 and 1994 respectively at the former University of Bophuthatswana (renamed the North West University -Mahikeng Campus).
He attained his Masters in Law (LLM) through Haward Law College in 1998 and Doctorate of Law (LLD) through the Potchefstroom University for CHE in 2003 and Arbitration Certificate (SA) in 2004. All his qualifications were achieved through part time study.
Senatle was admitted as an advocate on 7 December 1995 and joined the advocate profession on 7 July 2003. He served as Deputy Chair of the Bar Council for three terms and as chairperson of the North West Housing Tribunal between 2006 and 2009. – SAnews.gov.za
