Arrival in Cape Town – Table Mountain

Cape Peninsula

Today we take a trip around the Cape Peninsula. We stop at Hout Bay for an optional boat trip to Duiker Island, inhabited by several thousand seals. If open, we drive via the magnificent Chapman’s Peak Drive en route to Cape Point, southernmost tip of the peninsula, and on to Cape of Good Hope, most south westerly point of Africa. After lunch, see the penguin colony at Boulders, near Simon’s Town and the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens with its display of indigenous plants and trees.

Orientation

Today after breakfast South African and academics and legal professionals will give you an Orientation to the South African legal reality. The focus will be on a short historical and current reality introduction to the South African context, including the political, economic, social and cultural scenarios as they have developed and are unfolding for South Africa. Linkages will be made to South African Constitution, South African legal institutions and the justice system. End of the day with cocktails and dinner with some of the professionals you will be meeting during the week.

Experiencing the South African Legal Reality: Places and People

You will be taken to some of the organisations and places where South African legal professionals work and make a difference to the people and the law. Some of the contrasts still prevailing between the previously disadvantaged and developed areas will be illustrated in order to create an understanding of the policy and legal challenges faced in applying the law in the highly diverse South African society. Visit Parliament, a Provincial Legislature, The Law Courts and relevant Administrations at different tiers of government. During the day you will also be introduced to people who may become part of your expanding professional governance leadership network.

Experiencing the South African Legal Reality: Education and Training

During the morning and early afternoon you will visit one or more of the educational institutions where people are educated and trained for their legal professional roles. This will include a visit to the world famous Robben Island, which was known as the Liberation University when famous political leaders such as Nelson Mandela were imprisoned here. Visit the famous law school at Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape. You will also meet academics, trainers and students with the opportunity to exchange ideas, gain insights and build networks for the future. The day will end with a wine tasting in a cellar on a wine farm at dusk.

Experiencing the South African Legal Reality:  The Professions and their Organisations

Today you will be introduced to the people who work in the legal practices as advocates and attorneys as well as in the law society and bar association.

Experiencing the South African Legal Reality:  Facilitated Feedback of the Learning Experience

After breakfast you will be driven through the Durbanville wine area for a tour of this cameo wine, route world famous for its great red and white wines. You will have the opportunity to taste and buy some of the great sauvignon blancs and shirazes of the area. A latish lunch will be taken on one of the wine farms where some of the people whom you met during your Go Legal week will join in a facilitated feedback and learning experience. This is the opportunity to confirm legal and professional associations and cement your networks before taking leave of South Africa where a miracle was created through the hard work of many people!