By Gosego Phutieagae

Visiting some of the world’s most famous justice system landmarks is high on the itinerary of Thabang Mnculwane, a North-West University (NWU) Faculty of Law student, who is spending five months in Amsterdam on an academic exchange programme.

Mnculwane, a final-year LLB student, started his exchange programme at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU Amsterdam) in August 2025 and will return to South Africa in January 2026.

While in the Netherlands, he will use the opportunity to explore the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Roman Dutch legal system, which forms the basis of South African law.

The programme gives top-performing students the opportunity to study at a partner institution abroad. “I am very grateful to the NWU for trusting me with this opportunity,” said Thabang. “During my exchange in Amsterdam, I am thrilled to be able to visit the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the ICJ, as they align closely with my future career ambitions.”

He added that the exchange is not only about academic work but also about developing a global perspective. “This exchange is a chance to engage with global legal issues in real-time, broaden my understanding, and represent my university and country abroad.”

Thabang’s selection highlights the university’s commitment to fostering international learning experiences and developing legal professionals with a global mindset. Through the exchange, he will also have the opportunity to interact with international legal institutions and potential future employers.

Thabang Mnculwane