Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), launched the much-anticipated book: Vuka Tshabalala On Trial, the dynamic biography of her father, former DUT Chancellor and retired Judge President Vuka Tshabalala.

The inspiring book launch took place at the DUT Hotel School, Ritson Campus. The speakers at the launch were the esteemed Judge President Vuka Tshabalala, DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu, Advocate Nazir Aboobaker and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa.

In attendance were Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement; Professor Mashupye Kgaphola, Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning; Professor Theo Andrews, Advisor in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office; Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane, Interim Director: Midlands Centre; along with DUT academics and students, family members, friends and representatives from civil society.

Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Fulufhelo Netswera was the charismatic Programme Director at the event. He shared on his role in encapsulating some aspects of the book where he had the privilege to interview Judge Tshabalala.

“The book is written by his daughter which I think is one of the most important tributes that a person can bestow on their parents,” he said.

Giving his take on the book, Prof Mthembu reiterated what Prof Netswera had said of how special this book is.

“Other than this being a biography about a father from a daughter. As you all know that Dr Mthethwa is in this very difficult job at DUT and not many people can find time to work like this and to have to divide time and to think about this special gift to Judge Tshabalala which is really remarkable,” he said.

He further shared that this book would clearly be seen way into the future when the history of DUT is written over this period as something truly astounding.

The book which shared many narratives from esteemed legal figures, conveyed a special congratulatory message from Advocate Aboobaker who spoke fondly of Judge Tshabalala whose life was intertwined with his. He highlighted of his destiny which saw them both through together in many different ways and he reflected not only on the book but also on a portion of his own life in relation to the book.

Advocate Aboobaker indicated that when he had entered the law profession as a young law student, and that it was a very unnerving experience for him.

“Judge Vuka was allocated as my mentor so while I was sitting in his reception room waiting to introduce myself, a number of thoughts went through my mind. I was wondering whether he would cope with me with my inexperience, will I survive the world of advocates? All my reservations melted  the moment I walked into his office, Judge Vuka greeted me with a warm, disarming smile  and instantly made me feel at home. From then on I knew that this is where I wanted to be,” said Advocate Aboobaker fondly.

When speaking of the book, Advocate Aboobaker indicated that every detail of the book is thoroughly researched  and it was evident that a great deal of time and effort went into inspirations.  He explained that the book vividly captures important details of Judge Vuka’s life and the challenges he had faced in his career and it gives a keen insight into the workings of the legal profession.

“You can see from the book itself that Dr Mthethwa has done detailed research into cases that her father acted as an advocate or cases on which he had presided on,” he said.

Adding to the launch of the book was an inspiring, heartfelt poem into the courageous legal journey of her grandfather by Pili Mthethwa, Judge Tshabalala’s granddaughter. Her poem which summarised the trials and triumphs of her grandfather’s legal journey was given a triumphant applause by the audience, where also her grandfather took to the podium to thank his granddaughter for her awe-inspiring poem.

Daughter of Judge Tshabalala, Dr Mthethwa shared on the narrative  of the book and her realisation  of fulfilling her father’s 15-year-old dream of writing a book about his trying experiences in the legal field by publishing the book.

Before I talk on my father being on trial, I should just say that I myself in writing this book was on trial so that makes the book even more significant,” she said.

She went on to thank Prof Mthembu for giving her the inspiration to take on the challenge of writing her father’s book and thanked Prof Netswera for his dynamic role he had played in interviewing her dad and on writing his own book on his father and his clan.

She further thanked her daughter for her beautiful poem she had been tasked to write more that 12 months ago which beautifully captivated the essence of all that her father had accomplished in his career. She also thanked the guest speaker, Advocate Aboobaker for his inspiring talk on his mentor, Judge Tshabalala.

She narrated that her father’s journey is a testament to the struggle for human rights in South Africa and that his life’s work was about breaking barriers so that others could follow.

Speaking further on the title of the book which was thought of about 15 months ago, she explained that it was kept as state secret and no one was to know of it. “Part of the reason I kept the book to myself was because I needed to finish it. My aspiration in finishing it was to ensure that I was able to give this book to my father while he is still alive,” she said.

She expressed that she is also humbled by the reception that the book has received to date, also sharing that the first official launch of the book was done on Human Rights Day as the book aptly speaks of her father’s celebration of legacy, wisdom and the spirit of justice, reflecting on the past, acknowledging the present and inspiring the future.

On what influenced her to give the book this title, Dr Mthethwa said although her father, as a lawyer, represented people on trial, he himself was on trial because of the hardships he had experienced as a lawyer under the apartheid system.

The man of the hour, Judge Tshabalala gave his remarkable sharp-witted comments on his thoughts about the book which he said although there were some aspects that would be updated in the book, overall he wanted to say a huge thank you to his daughter for being able to do such a sterling job, especially the way she analysed some of his judgements, without having practiced as a lawyer.

“I want to thank you Vuyo in your preparations for the book. To reflect on my life in the Clermont township, she referred to the things that happened in the township, the struggles we had in the township are in this book,” he expressed.

He spoke of the tragic assassination of his wife, Pearl Tshabalala, which deeply affected him and his family. He shared that his late wife is remembered for work she had done in the Clermont township, where a street has been named in her honour, are shared in the book.

Judge Tshabalala gave accounts into his trials and tribulations of his life journey on becoming the first black advocate in Natal in 1969. He spoke of his appointment as deputy judge president when he faced a petition for his candidacy by 14 white judges in 1998, complaining that he was inexperienced for the position. He furnished further on how he eventually was appointed the judge president in 2000 which had reshaped the perceptions of the judiciary.

The book launch concluded with a closing remark from Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane, who gave thanks to Judge Tshabalala, whose role has helped to shape South Africa’s legal landscape, serving as a powerful reminder of the past and an inspiration for the future.

Pictured: At the prestigious launch event were the esteemed DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal: Professor Thandwa Mthembu, former DUT Chancellor and retired Judge President Vuka Tshabalala, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: People and Operations, Dr Vuyo Mthethwa, and Advocate Nazir Aboobaker.

Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile

Waheeda Peters