The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) invites you to an open seminar to be addressed by Justice Zak Yacoob. We specifically encourage the participation of legal practitioners, representatives from public interest law bodies and members of activist organisations engaged in the education sector or involved in similar work.
Date: Tuesday, 19 March 2013
Time: 17h30
Venue: Ndifunu Ukwazi (Dare to Know)
Office 203, 47 on Strand
Strand Street
Cape Town City Centre
About the Speaker:
Justice Yacoob served as a Constitutional Court Justice from February 1998 until the end of last year. Justice Yacoob commenced his legal career as an advocate on 12 March 1973 after serving his pupillage in Durban. He practised as a junior counsel from July 1973 to May 1991, taking silk in 1991.
Some of his more famous matters during his time at the Bar included forming part of a team that from 1985 until 1988 defended officials and members of the United Democratic Front and its affiliates in the Delmas Treason Trial. He also represented the “Durban Six” in negotiations with the British government when they occupied the British Consulate in Durban in 1984 in protest against apartheid.
His many activist accolades include serving as the chairperson of the Durban Committee of Ten in 1980. Its aim was to alleviate the plight of pupils, ensure the release of those in detention and facilitate talks between pupils, students, parents and educational authorities. He belonged to the Democratic Lawyers Association from 1979 to 1984, was a member of the UDF’s Natal executive, was heavily involved in a campaign against the tricameral parliament from 1983 to 1985 and was a member of the underground structures of the ANC.
He served on the Independent Electoral Commission from December 1993 to June 1994 and was a member of the Panel of Independent Experts of the Constitutional Assembly.
The format for the seminar will be a presentation from the speaker for 20-25 minutes, followed by a facilitated discussion. Please e-mail Melanie Boltman
(*protected email* ) to indicate your interest in participating in this event. Your e-mail should clearly indicate which organisation you work for (if applicable) and the kind of public interest work that you are engaged in.
