The Ubunye Fellowship
In 2019, Ubunye Chambers launched two fellowships to assist advocates who recently completed pupillage; particularly younger advocates who display a capacity for excellence. The fellowships take the form of a subsidised space within Ubunye Chambers, usually in the form of a rent-free chamber; free use of online resources; and the subsidised use of administrative services.
The period of the fellowship is one year, subject to the review and discretion of permanent members of furthering such fellowship on an equitable and reasonable basis.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE FELLOWSHIP
• A successfully completed pupillage at the KwaZulu-Natal Bar;
• An LLB (a further post-graduate qualification will be an advantage);
• An intention to commence practice at the Durban Bar;
• A demonstrated commitment to the South African Constitution and its values (apparent from academic studies, prior work experience and/or extra-curricular activities);
In selecting fellowship candidates, preference is given to candidates with a previously disadvantaged background and female candidates in order to advance transformation of the legal profession and to enhance the Bar as a professional environment that is representative of South African society.
Current Fellows
Melanie Barnes
Melanie Barnes, hails from Empangeni, North Coast KwaZulu-Natal and holds both a BCom Law and LLB Degree. After attaining her first qualification in 2017 with distinction, her great ambition coupled with her Orator background and interests in debate of current affairs, led her to Pretoria to study Law where she obtained her LLB Degree from the University of Pretoria in 2021. She then went on to immerse herself in the Practical Legal Training Programme, concurrently receiving certification in the BLA Trial Advocacy Training programme of 2021. Avidly striving towards bringing her Advocacy pursuits to fruition, she then completed the LSSA LEAD PVT Structured Coursework and Exam Preparation for Pupils in 2023, with distinction.
She completed pupillage in 2023 at the esteemed Durban Bar, under the mentorship of Zuanite Ploos Van Amstel, where she gained unparalleled growth and agility as a young female professional through immense exposure to and experience in Civil and Criminal Trial litigation, Motion Court, and Labour Court – including Arbitration work.
Melanie is dedicated to socio-economic involvement, transformation through representation and tangible progressiveness in view of collective successes. She continues to actively fulfil her role in various initiatives through individual and joint social projects with key community organisations, philanthropic foundations and independent corporate stakeholders, to bridge the gap and unveil glimmers of social cohesion.
She possesses a strong interest in the range of legal areas, including but not limited to: Public and Administrative Law; Commercial Litigation; Municipal Law; Labour Law; Family Law, Constitutional Law and Customary/Indigenous Law.
Outside of practice and community service, Melanie thoroughly enjoys exploring outdoor hidden gems, adventurous activities, the arts, media creation and photography freelancing. Passionate about traveling, she is fulfilled by aesthetics and scenery, while learning about different cultures, traditions and cuisines.
Email: melaniebarnes95@gmail.com / Cell: 0722969520
Kirsty Leigh Brauteseth
Kirsty obtained her LLB Degree from the University of Stellenbosch in 2019. During her time at university, she had the privilege of being a teaching fellow for an initiative known as CLASI (Constitutional Literacy and Service Initiative), which focused on educating high school students from various rural schools on the basic concepts and foundations of constitutional law with emphasis on basic human rights. She was passionate about her involvement in this initiative as it provided her with the opportunity to educate students on their fundamental human rights, which in turn allowed her to be a part of equipping them for a better and brighter future.
From 2020 to 2021, Kirsty served her Practical Vocational Training as a Candidate Legal Practitioner at AC De Sousa Attorneys. During her training, she gained experience in high court litigation, with specific focus on personal injury claims, involving proceedings against the Road Accident Fund and Organs of State. Kirsty had a particular interest in cerebral palsy claims resulting from negligent childbirth.
In January of 2023, Kirsty commenced her pupilage at the Durban Bar under the mentorship of Advocate Gareth Randles. She, too, had the honor of being the class representative to the pupils of 2023.
Kirsty has a keen interest in constitutional litigation and administrative law which is predicated on her fiery passion for constitutional accountability and the Rule of Law.
Email: brautesethlaw@gmail.com / Cell: 079 970 9643
Nkanyiso Thando Mncube
Nkanyiso, a native of Pietermaritzburg and a resident of Durban, is an ardent legal professional who obtained his LLB degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Prior to joining the Bar, Nkanyiso honed his legal skills during his tenure at Strauss Daly Attorneys, where he completed his articles and practiced as an attorney in the Corporate Advisory and Forensic Services (CAFS) department. As an attorney at Strauss Daly, Nkanyiso provided legal solutions to various clients, ranging from private entities to governments and traditional leaders. He has successfully handled multiple cases involving complex legal issues and high stakes outcomes.
Pursuant to his tenure as an attorney, and under the esteemed mentorship of Johan Ploos van Amstel, Nkanyiso completed pupilage in 2023, gaining invaluable insights and knowledge.
Eager to expand his practice, he aspires to make significant strides in the areas of Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Commercial Litigation, Competition Law, Customary Law (including but not limited to traditional leadership disputes), Labour Law, Municipal Law and Public Procurement Law.
Beyond the legal realm, Nkanyiso is a passionate individual who finds solace in the pages of books, the art of culinary exploration, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through fitness activities.
Email: advmncube@outlook.com / Cell: 065 907 7504
Former Fellows
Keshini Govender
Keshini Govender received her LL. B Degree from the University of the Free State in 2018.
From 2019 to 2021 Keshini served her articles as a candidate attorney at Strauss Daly Inc. in the banking litigation department.
Thereafter she was admitted as a legal practitioner and practiced as an attorney at CJ Cogan Attorneys where she focused on debt review and litigation in general.
In January 2022, Keshini commenced her pupillage at the Durban Bar under the mentorship of Advocate Kerina Gopaul where she was exposed to motion court and trial work, she also assisted as class representative for her pupillage group.
Keshini has an interest in constitutional litigation and public law.
Keshini is a kidszone teacher at her local church, Rivers Durban North and serves as such every Sunday, she is a bibliophile and therefore loves reading and collecting books, she is also a foodie and enjoys blogging about different cuisines and restaurants, in her spare time she enjoys playing chess and golf.
Email: keshgovender18@gmail.com / Cell: 076 018 5693
Zipho
Mbuyazi
Zipho completed did his LLB at the University of Zululand. That is where his passion of being an advocate started in his first year in 2012. He got involve in lots of internal debates at the university.
After completion of a degree he joined an NGO and became an active member, going to schools to assist matriculants and grade 11 pupils with career choices and other life challenges they face. This was informed by his ethical duty to serve the society; which in turn was informed by human rights and dignity consciousness. He then shadowed many advocates, learning what their work is like day by day and assisted with preparing and settling court documents. He got admitted and started his practice as an advocate who is not a member of any Bar. He engaged both civil and criminal law briefs. During this time, he gave back to the society by preparing and moving a lots of admissions for legal practitioners for free.
He then completed pupillage under the Mentorship of Robin Pillemer in 2021. His interest is in commercial law and human right law.
Apart from practice he enjoys watching sports, more frequently being Soccer, Cricket and UFC. He plays chess at a very basic level of a novice.
Contacted on 0797791126 / 0685313176 / z.b.mbuyazi@gmail.com
Siyanda Khanyile
Siyanda Khanyile read law at University of Zululand. During his tenure, he served as a student teacher in various areas of law including, Introduction to law, and Family law and represented students in student disciplinary hearings. In addition to the above, he represented the University of Zululand in various inter-university competitions.
After completing his studies, Siyanda joined Garlicke and Bousfield inc in 2015, where he worked in the litigation department with a particular focus on banking law and general commercial litigation. In the years 2019 and 2020, the Legal Practice Council appointed Siyanda to its investigating committee, to investigate complaints against Practitioners, laid by members of the public.
After being promoted to Senior Associate in 2019, Siyanda decided to join the bar, in 2021, and commenced pupillage under the mentorship of Zuleka Rasool. Siyanda has a key interest in Administrative and Commercial law. Apart from law, he enjoys watching soccer and standup comedy.
Ruchir Naidoo
In 2021, Ruchir completed his pupillage at the Durban Bar, under the mentorship of Juliette Nicholson.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Ruchir worked as an Attorney within the Pollution & Climate Change Programme at the Centre for Environmental Rights (Cape Town); a tenure preceded by legal internships at the International Criminal Court (The Hague) and Norton Rose Fulbright (Durban).
Ruchir graduated from UKZN (Howard College) with LLB and LLM (Environmental Law) degrees. He is now pursuing a PhD (Environmental Law) through the University of Witwatersrand, where the intended research has received a full scholarship from the Canon Collins Institute in the United Kingdom.
Ruchir is committed to social development and is a permanent volunteer at the Sri Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa in Phoenix, Durban. The programmes in which he is involved provide scholars and families from disadvantaged backgrounds, with inter alia access to adequate food and health care.
Outside of practice, community service and research, Ruchir enjoys training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He was awarded a ‘blue belt’ from the Renzo Gracie Academy in Cape Town and was a bronze medallist at the African Continental Pro Championship in 2020.
Cell: 083 9947 974 / Email: ruchnaidoo@gmail.com
Sithandiwe Samukelisiwe Mdletshe
Sithandiwe is an enthusiastic young advocate from the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
After attaining her LLB and her LLM at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Sithandiwe pursued a corporate career in banking, where she gained legal, corporate governance and fiduciary services’ experience, through various roles in the banking industry. Before joining the Bar, Sithandiwe ventured into international protection work in the field of asylums and refugees.
Sithandiwe served her pupillage in 2020 at the KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) Bar.
Sithandiwe’s contact details are:
078 202 9903
13th Floor, South, 6 Durban Club Place, Durban Central, 4001.
Celeste Jadine Moodley
Celesté read for her LL.B at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2018, graduating cum laude and being awarded the Phatshoane Henney Group Honour Medal for her years of meritorious achievement. She then went on to read for her LL.M in Advanced Criminal Justice, with her thesis focused on a Critical Race perspective of International Criminal Law. After obtaining her LL.M cum laude, she decided to take the plunge into advocacy to fervently pursue her passion for the law, litigation and social justice.
Celesté served her pupillage at the KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) Bar in 2020 under Avanesha Moodley, where she gained extensive exposure to and experience in Motion Court and Trial work.
Her passion for the law began after having lived and schooled in the U.S.A for a decade, which allowed her to acquire a critically comparative and diverse perspective of South Africa’s legal and social landscape.
When Celesté is not on her mission to change the world, she enjoys her passions for weight-training, playing the guitar and piano, singing, and spending her quieter moments in nature.
Celeste’s contact details are:
Tel: 084 919 2198
13th Floor, South, 6 Durban Club Place, Durban Central, 4001.
Email: cjmoodley@aol.com
Byron Jackson
Byron was born in Pietermaritzburg and matriculated from Alexandra High School. He left for the sandy shores of Durban to do his LL.B. degree, which he obtained from UKZN in October of 2013. Articles of clerkship with Henwood, Britter & Caney followed from January 2014 until February 2016, and Byron was admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa on 26 February 2016. Thereafter, Byron entered the corporate world and joined the legal team at Lexis Nexis in the Practical Guidance department; he was in this role for two years.
Byron served his pupillage at the KwaZulu–Natal (Durban) bar in 2018 under Murray Pitman.
Apart from law and when he is not socializing with friends, Byron enjoys squash, cricket, gym and building and working on old cars.
Byron’s contact details are: 081 253 1393 / advbjackson@gmail.com
Sanele Lushaba
Sanele graduated from UKZN in 2013.
Before her LLB and for 12 years, Sanele worked at the Department of Justice in the administration section acquiring extensive experience in various components within the department. She has also had experience as a court interpreter, and has worked closely with the SAPS in criminal proceedings and inquests.
After finishing her LLB, Sanele moved to the Office of the Family Advocate, where she gained significant experience in the operation of the Children's Act as well as the Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act and the Divorce Act.
Sanele is currently working on her Masters degree in constitutional litigation, dealing with constitutional aspects of the Children’s Act.
Sanele served pupillage in 2018 under Lisa Mills at the KZN Bar.
Sanele’s contact details are: 074 487 6841 / Sanelisiwe.lushaba@gmail.com
Gugulethu Gumede
Gugulethu obtained her LLB from UKZN in 2001. She served her articles of clerkship at the Legal Aid board with effect from 3 January 2004 to 28 February 2005. On 1 March 2005 to 30 November 2006, she was employed by Mchunu Koikanyang Attorneys as a Professional Assistant, where she was exposed to civil and commercial litigation. On 20 May 2005, she was admitted as an Attorney. From 1 December 2006 to April 2008, she was employed as a legal adviser at FNB Law on Call where gave telephonic advice on labour, civil, criminal, divorce and property law.
On 12 May 2008 to 19 December 2008, she was appointed as a Legal Administration Officer at the Commission on Land and Distribution at the Department of Land Affairs and Land Reform where she was responsible for legal issues relating to land claims that were lodged by previously dispossessed persons and drafting sale agreements.
In January 2009, she was appointed as a Junior State Advocate at the Asset Forfeiture Unit under the National Prosecuting Authority where she was responsible for civil litigation on behalf of the State regarding the restraint and forfeiture of assets derived from criminal activity, and drafting applications relating to assets derived from criminal activity in terms of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act. In January 2016, she was appointed as a Senior State Advocate at the Asset Forfeiture Unit, a role in which she served until January 2019.
Gugulethu served her pupilage in 2019 under Nigum Lalla at the KZN Bar. In 2020 she was awarded the Ubunye Fellowship.
Gugulethu’s contact details are: 082 3710 858 / gzgumede@gmail.com.Chambers: 17th Floor Ubunye Group, Durban Club Chambers, 3 Durban Club Place, Durban Central.
Kellie-Kirsty (“Kellie”) Hennessy
Kellie has been awarded the 2020 Ubunye Fellowship at the Ubunye Chambers for 2020.
In 2007, Kellie read for her LL.B at the University of Johannesburg (“UJ”), graduating in 2010. While at UJ, and during her penultimate year, she represented the University at the ‘All Africa Human Rights Moot Court ‘in Lagos, Nigeria. Kellie was also awarded the UJ moot court prize for that year. In her final year, Kellie was awarded the prize for best student for her work done at the UJ pro-bono law clinic. Kellie was also a tutor for Introduction to Legal Studies (2010); winner of a Scholarship for deserving LLB students (2008) and was also awarded membership to the Golden Key Honour Society (2007).
In 2011, Kellie went on to read for her Masters Degree in Private Law at the University of Stellenbosch, graduating at the end of the same year. Her Master’s subjects were: International Commercial Arbitration (Professor Butler), Copyright Law (Professor Owen Dean), International Comparative Law of Contracts and IT Law (in which she achieved a first).
During 2012/2013, Kellie completed her articles at the then “DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr” in Sandton. Kellie was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2014. She continued to practise as an attorney in Gauteng, and obtained a specialisation in Employment Litigation. Kellie later moved to Durban in 2017.
During 2019, Kellie served pupillage under Adrian Camp at the KZN Bar. She was converted from an attorney to an advocate by the Legal Practice Council in August 2019.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Cell : 084 905 7030
Email: kkhennessy19@gmail.com
Chambers: 17th Floor Ubunye Group, Durban Club Chambers, 3 Durban Club Place, Durban Central.