Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh recently graduated with an LLB degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA)

[News]

The institution confirmed his graduation on June 19, 2025.

Sizwe captioned his Instagram post:

"I never planned to study law. When I was younger, everyone thought I would because of my father, so I rebelled. Then, in the middle of writing my second book during the pandemic, I found myself deep in constitutional debates, discovering the law’s quiet power, its beauty, its mystery. I couldn’t look away anymore.

Going from a PhD to an undergrad law degree is a quiet humbling no one warns you about. The law doesn’t care what else you know—you must start at the beginning.

I spent late nights leafing through textbooks and cases but also learning about myself and those around me. My godfather, Edwin Cameron, penned many of the judgments I read. My father argued some of the cases I studied. As if the past was reminding me: you are here now.

Balancing a growing podcast, Wits work, and family while studying law was one of the hardest professional battles of my life. I remember prepping to interview Julius Malema one night, then writing a property law exam the next morning, scraping 60%—and somehow, that mark felt more satisfying than the many distinction I got.

I could never have known my son would be born during this journey, cheering me on in his small way as I moved from nappies to assignments, and back again.

To share this moment with those I love has been the greatest gift. My father saying, “I told you you’d come to the law.” My mother saying, “I’m so proud of you.” Mum, it’s true—I only do it to make you proud.

Sumaya got her PhD at the same time, as each partner lovingly supported the other to another dream.

Where to from here? For now, I’m focusing on the podcast and my academic work. But, maybe one day, I’ll stand before a court, adding my voice to a tradition that shaped me.

This graduation felt special for all these reasons."