Sizwe Mpofu Walsh On His Journey Towards A Law Degree
Sizwe Mpofu Walsh On His Journey Towards A Law Degree. He comes from a well educated family, and he himself is quite big on education. 5 years ago, Sizwe Mpofu Walsh completed his Doctor of Philosophy at the renowned Oxford University. He graduated his masters in 2015 at the same university.
The former rapper, podcaster and author has just bagged himself another qualification, this time, a Law Degree. Ironically, he didn’t want to study LLB, simply because many people wanted him to, since his father Dali Mpofu is a lawyer. His second book, humbled him, because he had to to extensive research on law.
“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,” Sizwe said.
During his studies, Sizwe encountered challenges. He had to balance his school work with the podcast, work and family responsibilities. But through hard work and the support of his family, Sizwe bagged yet another degree.
“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,” he said.
