Fourteen Ohio University students recently returned from a study abroad program, Law, Justice & Transition to Democracy in South Africa, co-directed by Larry Hayman, Esq. and Dr. Haley Duschinski. Now in its second year, the program offered students a two-week immersion into the legal and historical landscapes of post-apartheid South Africa.
Developed in collaboration with Advocate Shafie Ameermia, National Director of ProBono.Org and former Glidden Visiting Professor at Ohio University – the program was designed to deepen students’ understanding of human rights, South African constitutional law, and democratic transition in a global context. The experience combined academic rigor with cultural engagement, and spanned four locations across the country: Cape Town, Pilanesberg, Pretoria, and Johannesburg.
In Cape Town, students visited iconic sites such as Robben Island, Table Mountain, and the District Six Museum. They engaged in guided tours that brought South Africa’s complex history to life, exploring the legacies of colonialism and apartheid in places like the Iziko Slave Lodge. In the Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, they examined the country’s diverse cultural identities.
Midway through the program, students traveled to Pilanesberg National Park for a two-day safari experience, exploring South Africa’s rich biodiversity and reflecting on indigenous land rights and environmental justice.
In Johannesburg, the academic focus intensified. Students toured Constitution Hill and met with Dr. Zaid Kimmie, Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights. There, they learned about the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Next, they visited the national office of ProBono.Org, where Advocate Ameermia gave them the opportunity to explore access to justice in South Africa. They also toured Soweto, met with Hector Pieterson’s sister Antoinette Sithole, and visited the Apartheid Museum.
The program culminated in a capstone moot court exercise held at Norton Rose Fulbright, SA in Johannesburg. Students presented oral arguments before a panel that included Professor Matthew Chaskalson, SC – son of former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson – and professor Tracy-Lynn Field of the University of the Witwatersrand. The event challenged students to apply what they had learned about constitutional law and human rights to contemporary issues in South Africa.
As Ohio University continues to expand global opportunities for students, this program stands out as a model of experiential learning in international law and human rights.
