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Durban University of Technology 36details of Judge Vuka%u2019s life and the challenges he faced in his career, and it gives a keen insight into the workings of the legal profession.%u201cYou can see that Dr Mthethwa has done detailed research into cases that her father acted as an advocate on or cases on which he had presided,%u201d he said.An inspiring, heartfelt poem into the courageous legal journey of her grandfather by Pili Mthethwa, Judge Tshabalala%u2019s granddaughter, summarised the trials and triumphs of his legal journey. It garnered enthusiastic applause by the audience, after which her grandfather took to the podium to thank her.Daughter of Judge Tshabalala, Dr Mthethwa, shared the narrative of the book and her realisation of fulfilling her father%u2019s 15-year-old dream of writing a book about his trying experiences in the legal field.%u201cBefore 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,%u201d she said.She went on to thank Prof Mthembu for giving her the inspiration to take on the challenge and thanked Prof Netswera for his dynamic role of interviewing her dad and on writing his own book on his father and his clan.She thanked her daughter for her beautiful poem, which captivated the essence of all that her father had accomplished. She also thanked Adv. Aboobaker for his inspiring talk on his mentor.She said that her father%u2019s journey is a testament to the struggle for human rights in South Africa and that his life%u2019s work was about breaking barriers so that others could follow.Speaking on the title of the book, which was conceived of about 15 months ago, she explained that it was kept a secret. shethat %u201cPart of the reason I kept the book to myself was because I needed to finish it. My inspiration for finishing it was to ensure that I was able to give this book to my father while he was still alive,%u201d she said.She was humbled by the reception the book has received to date, also sharing that the first official launch was on Human Rights Day as the book aptly speaks of her father%u2019s celebration of legacy, wisdom and the spirit of justice, and reflects on the past, acknowledging the present and inspiring the future.Judge Tshabalala commented that there were some aspects that would be updated in the book, but overall, he said a huge %u2018thank you%u2019 to his daughter for being able to do such a sterling job. He especially praise the way in which she analysed some of his judgements without having practiced as a lawyer.%u201cShe reflected on my life and the struggles we had in the Clermont township in this book,%u201d he said.He spoke of the tragic assassination of his wife, Pearl Tshabalala, which deeply affected him and his family. She is remembered for work in the Clermont township, where a street has been named in her honour, and this is shared in the book.Judge Tshabalala reflected on the trials and tribulations of his life journey, especially on becoming the first black advocate in Natal in 1969. He spoke of his appointment as Deputy Judge President when he faced a petition by 14 white judges in 1998, complaining that he was inexperienced for the position. He expounded further on how he eventually was appointed the Judge President in 2000, which reshaped the perceptions of the judiciary.The book launch was concluded by Dr Nonhlanhla Mthiyane, who gave thanks to Judge Tshabalala, whose role helped to shape South Africa%u2019s legal landscape, and who serves as a powerful reminder of the past and an inspiration for the future.Waheeda Peters