- Rorisang Kgosana completed her LLB Cum Laude while working full-time as a journalist and raising her daughter.
- The loss of lifelong friends during pupillage became one of the most difficult tests of her journey to the Bar.
- Kgosana hopes to use the law to create meaningful change while continuing to champion journalism and public interest causes.
At night, when most parents were reading fairy tales and bedtime stories to their children, Rorisang Kgosana was reading case law, criminal law principles and Latin legal definitions.
By then, she was already working as a full-time journalist, spending her days chasing stories, interviewing sources and meeting deadlines before returning home to care for her young daughter. Once her daughter was asleep, another shift began.
The journalist became a law student, often studying late into the night while trying to balance the demands of work, motherhood and a dream that refused to leave her alone.
Looking back, Kgosana laughs when she remembers those years, but there is no hiding the sacrifices that came with them. It is a remark that captures both the humour and hardship of a journey that would eventually take her from reporting on court proceedings to standing before a judge and taking an oath as an advocate of the High Court.
Born and raised in Pretoria, Kgosana initially dreamed of becoming a pilot. That ambition faded when she realised science was not her strongest subject. What she did love was language. English and literature became her favourite subjects at school, largely because of teachers who made stories come alive. Shakespeare fascinated her, particularly Macbeth, and her growing love of storytelling eventually pushed her towards journalism.
The idea of becoming a journalist gained momentum after she attended an open day at Tshwane University of Technology. The institution described journalism as a profession for people who were curious, brave and persistent. Those qualities resonated with her.
After graduating, she built a career that took her through public relations and eventually into newsrooms including Rekord, The Citizen, The South African, TimesLIVE and Sunday Times. Along the way, she discovered a deep appreciation for print journalism and the challenge of telling powerful stories through words alone.
Yet while journalism gave her purpose, another passion quietly continued to grow. During her first year at university, she studied Media Law and immediately became fascinated by the legal framework surrounding journalism. Although the subject was only offered for one year, it left a lasting impression. She wanted to understand more than just media law. She wanted to understand the law itself.
For years, she ignored that voice, focused on building her journalism career and establishing herself professionally. Yet the idea of studying law never disappeared. Application after application was unsuccessful because of limited space. Many people would have accepted defeat or chosen another programme, but Kgosana refused. She never selected a second option because law was the only qualification she wanted.
Studying through motherhood
When Unisa applications opened in 2018, she was ready. Shortly afterwards, she discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Two weeks later, she received the acceptance letter she had spent years waiting for. Faced with the prospect of beginning a law degree while preparing to become a mother, she made a decision that would shape the next several years of her life.
Rather than postpone her studies, she accepted the offer and committed herself to both journeys. She wrote examinations while pregnant and continued studying after giving birth. At the same time, she remained a full-time journalist and a mother. Social events disappeared, and sleep became negotiable.
There was always another assignment to complete, another article to write, another examination to prepare for and another responsibility waiting for her attention. Despite the demands, she never lost sight of the bigger picture. Every sacrifice moved her closer to a goal she had pursued for years. Eventually, the effort paid off in a way that even she struggled to believe.
Kgosana completed her degree in record time and graduated Cum Laude. When she first received an email informing her of the achievement, she did not believe it. The reality only began to sink in during her graduation ceremony in April 2024 when an usher handed her a piece of paper and told her, “Congratulations. This paper means a Cum Laude.”
Even then, she remained stunned. It was only when her name was called, and the announcement was made that the degree was being conferred with distinction, that the achievement truly became real. Reflecting on that moment, Kgosana said, “It officially sunk in when my name was called out, and before walking across the stage, an announcement was made that this degree is conferred upon her with distinction. I was excited. My family was extremely proud.”
It was also during her final year that she finally understood why the law had continued calling her for so many years. As Kgosana explained, “The reason I chose law only came to me towards my final year. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.”
For years, she had tried to do that through journalism. She loved storytelling and believed deeply in the role journalists play in society. Yet she often found herself frustrated by changing reader habits and the growing preference for quick social media content over in-depth reporting.
Journalism demanded long hours, time away from family, dangerous assignments and relentless deadlines. Despite all of that effort, she increasingly felt that fewer people were willing to engage with detailed reporting.
As Kgosana explained, “It frustrated me because my job is to be the voice of the voiceless, to educate and bring awareness, to inform the public about what is happening around them and to hold those who abuse their power to account.”
While she remains deeply proud of her years in the profession, she eventually realised that the law offered another way to achieve the same goal. Reflecting on that realisation, Kgosana said, “With law, I can make a difference and see instant results. The judge or magistrate will make a court order or judgment immediately that would instantly affect someone’s life. My goal is to bring positive change to people’s lives and to our country.”
The hardest year
If completing the LLB was demanding, the year that followed was even harder. To pursue advocacy, Kgosana had to leave behind the security of full-time employment and commit herself fully to pupillage through the Gauteng Society of Advocates.
Like many aspiring advocates, she resigned from her job knowing she would receive no salary while completing the programme. She packed up her belongings and returned home to her parents in Centurion, a decision she never imagined making at that stage of her life, but one she knew was necessary.
The decision affected the entire family. Her daughter was older now and understood more than she had during the LLB years. Rather than complain about the long hours of study, she encouraged her mother to continue. Those small moments of support helped carry Kgosana through what would become the most difficult year of her journey.
The emotional burden of the year was made heavier by loss. While pursuing one of the biggest goals of her life, several close friends died unexpectedly. The deaths came at a time when her schedule was already dominated by assignments, court preparation and examinations, leaving little space to properly process her grief. Reflecting on that period, Kgosana said, “Also, I lost friends. Several good friends suddenly passed away. I did not get time to mourn them properly.”
One of those losses was particularly devastating. Daniella Buckerfield had been Kgosana’s friend since 1999. They grew up together and remained close throughout adulthood. Buckerfield was one of her biggest supporters, someone who constantly encouraged her ambitions and celebrated her successes.
When Kgosana received a message from Buckerfield’s sister explaining that her friend had been hospitalised in Vietnam and might not survive, she struggled to comprehend what she was hearing. At the time, she was buried under assignments and preparation for the Bar examinations, but suddenly, none of it seemed important.
What continues to haunt her is their final conversation. Overwhelmed by the demands of pupillage, she had told Buckerfield she did not have much time to talk and promised they would have a proper catch-up once her workload eased. She assumed there would be another conversation. Instead, one of the last things Buckerfield told her was, “If anyone is going to pass the Bar exams, I know it’s you. You have nothing to worry about.”
For much of June, grief consumed her. Nights that should have been spent studying were often spent crying for the friend she had lost. Looking back, Kgosana said, “My biggest regret is that I did not make time for her.”
The support she received from her mentor, fellow pupils and the Gauteng Society of Advocates helped her navigate one of the darkest periods of her life. They gave her room to grieve while encouraging her to keep moving forward.
There was also a growing awareness that time was not standing still. After years of wanting to study law and finally reaching the Bar examinations, Kgosana viewed the opportunity as one she could not afford to squander. Reflecting on her mindset at the time, Kgosana said, “I was also motivated by the fact that I am not getting younger and this was my only opportunity. I did not want to have to rewrite the bar exams. I did not want to return to journalism full time.”
As if the year had not already tested her enough, another extraordinary moment unfolded on the morning of her final Bar examination. Having booked into a guesthouse close to the venue, she was awakened at 5am by screams that echoed through the property. A staff member knocked on her door and informed her that the owner had collapsed and that emergency services needed to be called.
Paramedics arrived and confirmed that the owner had died. While those around her struggled to process what had happened, Kgosana found herself slipping into problem-solving mode. Recalling the incident, Kgosana said, “Somehow, I was calm and knew what to do.”
Only hours later, she was sitting in an examination venue writing a five-hour paper that would help determine her future. Despite the extraordinary circumstances, she performed exceptionally well and passed.
Lessons from the newsroom
Although Kgosana has crossed from the press gallery to the Bar, she credits journalism for much of the success she has achieved in law. Years spent interviewing strangers, investigating complex issues and working under relentless deadlines developed skills that continue to serve her every day. As Kgosana explained, “My people, communications and research skills, life experience, and not being fearful of approaching anyone.”
She believes journalism taught her how to communicate with people from all walks of life, conduct thorough research and approach unfamiliar subjects without fear. It also taught her resilience. Years of public criticism, social media commentary and newsroom pressure helped her develop a thick skin and a willingness to tackle difficult challenges head-on.
Reflecting on those lessons, Kgosana said, “Journalism thickened my skin and made me fearless. It taught me the ability to approach anything with eagerness to learn and master it.”
She is equally quick to credit the mentors who helped transform academic knowledge into practical legal skills. Advocate Melissa Jooste played a particularly important role in that process. Through matters involving family law, defamation, Insolvency law and criminal law, Jooste helped her understand how legal principles worked in practice and taught her the importance of meticulous preparation.
Acting Judge Ettian Raubenheimer, who served as principal during the programme, also left a lasting impression. Advocate Alexia Vosloo De Witt provided guidance in family and labour law matters, while Advocate Zethu Mpama spent personal time reviewing Kgosana’s work and helping refine her drafting skills.
Reflecting on the journey, Kgosana said, “In fact, there are too many people at the Gauteng Society of Advocates who played a role in this journey.”
Crossing the courtroom floor
By the time admission day arrived, Kgosana had spent years sacrificing, studying and pushing herself beyond what she once thought possible. Yet even then, the achievement still felt unreal. It only truly began to sink in when Judge Selby Baqwa addressed the newly admitted advocates and reminded them of the important role they would play in society.
Looking back on that moment, Kgosana said, “When I raised my right hand and said ‘So help me God’, I meant it. God helped me throughout the way.”
For Kgosana, the admission represented far more than professional recognition. It represented years of persistence through rejection, years of balancing motherhood with studying, years of working while pursuing another qualification and months of enduring grief while refusing to abandon her goal.
Perhaps the moment that affected her most came afterwards when colleagues began referring to her as “Counsel” and “learned colleague”. For years, she had heard those terms while sitting in court as a journalist. They belonged to advocates and legal practitioners she reported on. Suddenly, they belonged to her.
Recalling that experience, Kgosana said, “Hearing those words made me realise that it was all over. The years of studying, the year of pupillage, the bar exams. I finally reached the finish line.”
Looking ahead
Although she is now building a legal career, Kgosana remains passionate about the future of journalism. She worries about shrinking newsrooms, publication closures and the growing number of journalists struggling to find work in an already difficult economy.
Reflecting on the state of the profession, Kgosana said, “The journalism profession is currently in a state where newsrooms are getting smaller, and publications are closing, which leaves many of my former colleagues unemployed in this current economy.”
She is particularly frustrated by the ease with which original reporting can be copied and republished by social media accounts seeking clicks and attention. Having spent years producing original journalism, she hopes one day to contribute to stronger legal protections for journalists and their work.
As Kgosana explained, “I hope to make a difference by drafting laws that can protect journalists and their work from plagiarism.”
At the same time, she believes the legal profession still has work to do. Reflecting on the profession she has entered, Kgosana said, “The legal profession needs more black women, particularly advocates. In Gauteng, it is male-dominated, and I have seen how some men undermine female learned colleagues, regardless of race.”
She hopes that future generations of women advocates will help reshape that reality while continuing to secure justice for those who need it most. After years of reporting on the justice system from the sidelines, Kgosana is finally in a position to help shape it from within.
The dream that once existed quietly in the background of a journalism career has become a reality, and she now hopes to use the law in the same way she once used storytelling to change lives for the better.
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