We asked our interns to give us feedback on their experiences at ProBono.Org. Here is what some of them had to say:
Molebogeng Manyako
I joined the Joburg office of ProBono.Org as an intern on 15 January 2018. I am working under the supervision of the head of the Family Law, Labour Law and Wills department.
My experience at ProBono.Org has really challenged me and kept me very busy. I consult with clients and their Family Law matters on Mondays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays I assist with clients’ documents at the Family Law legal clinic at the office.
What I enjoy most is going to the Family Court every Tuesday to assist at the divorce help desk with consultations, drafting summonses and settlement agreements. Through this I have managed to gain confidence and say no where necessary.
I have sometimes encountered difficult clients, as well as the sweetest. I enjoy working with the Wills clients, especially the elderly as they always appreciate our assistance when they come to collect their Wills.
The road has not always been easy and sometimes I have even shed a tear. I have enjoyed working with attorneys and advocates from different firms and groups. One of my biggest highlights was when Advocate Hugh Mbatha told me that I am going to be a good lawyer one day. These words really humbled and encouraged me.
Akhona Mthembu
My journey at ProBono.Org.
As I look back on my days with ProBono.Org, I started off in 2015 as a volunteer at the Durban office. I remember the very first help desk I assisted at, which was Housing. It shook me. I came away very emotional as I had listened to the story of an elderly lady who was being evicted from her own house. It had been transferred to her son fraudulently and she was responsible for three of her grandchildren, who were all receiving child support grants. She herself was also receiving a government pension.
The thought of her and her grandchildren not having shelter not only touched me, but made me determined that one day I would be at ProBono.Org as an intern, so that I too could begin my journey of giving back to those less fortunate.
I started as an intern on 8 January 2018, and soon realised that being an intern is very different from volunteering. At my first three help desks we assisted more than 30 clients. Through this I gained vast knowledge about the law, as practice and theory have aspects that are different. I learnt that I would need to learn to link and apply what I had learnt to practice, in order to solve clients’ issues. I have also had good experiences and relationships with other ProBono.Org staff members. We have taught each other a lot about the law and life itself.
The entire experience has given me a new and broader outlook on life, the importance of assisting the less fortunate, on ethics, morals and the legal profession.
Zunaid Latief
Upon graduating with a law degree from the University of the Western Cape at the end of 2016, the harsh reality was that I had failed to secure employment in my field of study and had no alternative but
to explore other interim avenues in order to support my immediate family.
After months of drifting in mediocrity, I received an email from the HCI Alumni Programme, informing me that I had been shortlisted for an interview under the Legal Internship Programme between ProBono.Org Cape Town and the HCI Foundation. The interview proved successful and I commenced employment with ProBono.Org on 2 April 2018.
Initially I felt overwhelmed and slightly doubted my ability and legal knowledge. However, after a couple of months and with the mentorship and encouragement of my colleagues, the development of my skillset was evident and I gained a lot more confidence. I was exposed to many different aspects of the legal profession and I looked forward to learning on the job on a daily basis.
The Legal Internship Programme has allowed me to grow exponentially, both as a person and as a professional. It has equipped me with the necessary tools and skills to pursue a successful career as a legal practitioner. More importantly, it has placed me in a position where I can continue the theme of giving back to society.
This opportunity has served as a rude awakening to the harsh realities that ordinary South Africans have to endure. The brutal truth is that people from disadvantaged communities quite simply cannot afford the services of an attorney or advocate; and access to justice is a mere illusion for many. However, it has ignited a flame inside of me and spurred on my passion for social justice, which is what I believe I will really take away from this internship.
As my time with ProBono.Org draws to an end, I cannot properly express my gratitude to the organisation for providing me with this opportunity. My legal knowledge has increased tenfold and my personal development has been significant. While I still have lots to learn regarding this profession, I am confident that this internship has done enough to secure me employment in the future.
