Ga-Dikgale community members gather in large numbers to learn about legal services on various important issues. Photos: Lebogang Matheba
By Lesego Maaba – ulpublication@ul.ac.za
The villagers of Ga-Dikgale in the Polokwane Local Municipality recently had a unique opportunity to seek legal advice from experts at no cost. This was made possible through a community outreach initiative organised by the University of Limpopo (UL)
Organised by both the University’s Law Clinic and the Department of Jurisprudence, Legal Pluralism, Criminal Law and Procedure, the event, themed ‘Providing Legal Knowledge to Give Hope to Marginalised Communities’, brought together legal professionals, experts, stakeholders, and community members to engage in discussions on a wide range of legal issues. Topics included civil and customary marriage, divorce, domestic violence, maintenance matters, criminal law, wills and estates, and land and property rights.
The Office of the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud further supported the outreach.
Dr Bongani Nkosi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence, Legal Pluralism, Criminal Law and Procedure, emphasises the importance of maintenance matters in ensuring the best interests of the child.
Speaking to the community, Dr Bongani Nkosi, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence, Legal Pluralism, Criminal Law and Procedure, emphasised the importance of understanding child maintenance obligations. “Child maintenance is a legal obligation and a form of financial support provided by one parent to the other for the care, upbringing, and well-being of their child or children, particularly when the parents are no longer living together,” he said. Dr Nkosi stressed that maintenance funds are strictly for the benefit of the child and should not be used for personal gain.
Chantelle Manzana, an attorney at the UL Law Clinic, spoke about the legal aspects of divorce, urging community members to adhere to proper legal procedures. She warned against the misconception that moving out of the marital home constitutes a legal divorce. “A divorce must be finalised through the court to be recognised by law,” she explained.
Gift Hlongwane, an attorney at GH and Partners Inc., focused on land and property rights, stressing the necessity for rural communities to understand how land is allocated and owned, particularly where traditional authorities manage land distribution. “Legal ownership of land grants individuals the right to possess, control, and utilise land within the confines of the law,” he said.
Kagiso Motshegwa, a representative from the Office of the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, highlighted the Ombud’s role in mediating disputes between consumers and service providers. He criticised supermarkets that impose additional charges on customers using bank cards, describing the practice as exploitative. “We strongly condemn these unjustified charges, which place an unfair burden on consumers,” he said. “Our mandate is to protect consumer rights and ensure fair treatment in the marketplace.”
A community representative, Lucky Lekota, noted that many current legal frameworks do not sufficiently align with traditional cultural practices. While expressing concern over this gap, he also welcomed the “opportunity to learn more about the law and engage further with legal services.” He added, “Our traditions are important, but we also recognise the need to understand and work within the legal system to protect our families and community.”