By Michelle Hammann

The North-West University (NWU) Law Clinic hosted a gala dinner in celebration of its 45th anniversary at The Roots in Potchefstroom. The law clinic on the NWU Potchefstroom Campus was opened on 5 August 1981 as a centre of the Faculty of Law. It is focused on providing free legal services, training for law students and paralegals, skills development for community members and advisory assistance.

Chrisna Nicholson, director of the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic, made the welcome address at the start of this black-tie event.
“Our impact cannot be measured through the number of files or court cases. It is measured through the people whom we have served and the students whom we have helped to become confident in representing those who need their legal services the most,” she said.
Nicholson also emphasised in an interview that the gala dinner is a celebration to thank everyone who has been part of the law clinic over the years. All its members over the past 45 years have made a valuable contribution to building sustainable projects and to what the clinic is today. 

In her address, she specifically honoured Schalk Meyer. He was the director of the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic from 1990 until 2015 and remained part of paralegal mentorship until his passing in 2020. 

“His leadership and commitment shaped not only the law clinic, but also those around him. Oom Schalk may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on,” she said. 

Schalk Meyer’s wife, Ina Meyer, attended the event to help everyone commemorate Schalk’s 25 years of service to the NWU Law Clinic. She was also part of the inner workings and expansion of the clinic in its earlier years.

“It was a long career of 25 years and started small, with only him and a secretary. One of Schalk’s highlights was initiating the idea that law students should do practical work at the clinic, allowing them to gain experience working with real people and cases,” Ina said.
Schalk was also passionate about mentoring paralegals to do the much-needed groundwork in communities.

“The NWU Law Clinic has received numerous awards over the years, including from Human Rights South Africa,” Mrs Meyer said.
During Schalk’s career, the law clinic expanded to several cities, including Mahikeng, Klerksdorp, Witbank, Middelburg, Ermelo, Nelspruit and Vereeniging. All the branches had lawyers, candidate lawyers and paralegals. Some of these branches became part of Legal Aid South Africa. Childline South Africa was also part of the NWU Law Clinic. Today, the clinic operates in the provinces of North West and Mpumalanga. 

Kagiso Masilo, director of the School of Applied Law on the Potchefstroom Campus, was the master of ceremonies at the gala dinner. As the event was also held in Women’s Month, he pointed out the large number of women who are part of the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic. 

“We celebrate the women who are here today and who came before us. If you look at the programme, it is women leading the cause,” he said.

Including Masilo, there were 15 speakers at the gala event, nine of whom were women. He noted that the gala was significant for the NWU Law Clinic and the university because it highlighted the impact that the clinic has on its communities and showcases all the services that it provides. 
“The NWU Law Clinic is one of the pillars when it comes to impact in our community. It is evident from the services and clinical education that it offers our students to prepare them for practice. It also inspires our students to be of service to our communities once they graduate and join the workforce,” Masilo said.

The gala dinner also had speakers from the Mahikeng Law Clinic, namely the supervising attorneys Ms Naledi Tawana and Mr Samson Leshilo. The special guest address was done by Prof. Maurice Radebe, head of the Wits Business School. 

“After two generations – 45 years – the NWU Law Clinic is still expanding. Students experience sitting across from real people, not just a hypothetical client. These people often have no other option than coming to the NWU Law Clinic,” Radebe said.

Victoria Nobatana, a paralegal at the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic, explained how the clinic has helped her transition from theory to real cases.

“I left textbooks behind and gained real experience. The law clinic has given me the skill to listen with care and to help bridge the gap between those in need of legal services and the support that the clinic provides,” she said.

Tshegofatso Nyalungu, the manager of Legal Services at the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic, organised the gala dinner and spoke about the 45 years of impact of the clinic. Over the past decade, the clinic has made 10 900 court appearances. For 2026, she noted that the clinic provided training across schools in South Africa, held a Mandela Day outreach, hosted an inaugural inter-varsity competition, as well as a gender-based violence initiative.

Ina Meyer during her tribute to former directors, legal practitioners and staff at the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic gala dinner.

Chrisna Nicholson, director of the NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic, made the welcome address at its 45th anniversary gala dinner.

The NWU Potchefstroom Law Clinic celebrated its 45th anniversary at The Roots with a gala dinner.