The LLM class of 2011/2012 comprises of 14 students. from 9 African countries. Countries represented: LLM (Trade) The countries include Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Malawi, Somaliland, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The class of 2011/12 is the ninth LLM (ITIA) class since its inception in 2003.

Students: LLM (Trade)

• Mike Chinoko from Malawi is a government lawyer specifically involved in law reform and development, as well as legislative drafting. He is currently in charge of the economic and trade related law reform programme, and will use the knowledge obtained from his LLM in coordinating the said programme.
• Peter Thanthwe Chisama from Malawi holds a LLB (Hons.) (University of Malawi) and is currently employed in the Department of Legal Aid of the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Malawi. He would like to increase Malawi’s participation in trade negotiations and the implementation thereof, and to campaign for internal policies that promote high standards in the production of goods and services in Africa.
• Mustafa Mohamed H. Dahir, LLB (University of Hargeisa) is a member of staff of the Somaliland Parliament. Apart from intending to continue with his doctoral studies, he is dedicated in searching for the most suitable solution for bringing peace and prosperity to the African continent.
• Tshepo Dipatane holds a position as Legal Counsel with the Botswana Defence Force. His core duties include commercial law matters such as contract drafting and negotiation. After acquiring the relevant knowledge from this programme, he intends to impart the same knowledge and skills to his counterparts – particularly with the Office of the Attorney General with which his organisation has a good relationship.
• Sekamotho Khaketla holds a LLB (National University of Lesotho) and work experience includes working for a law firm, V.V.M. Kotelo & Co, and later for the Government of Lesotho in the Ministry of Justice. She was appointed as a Magistrate in the Northern Region of the country, in the district of Leribe, presiding over both criminal and civil cases.
• Francky Lukanda Kapwadi from the DRC not only holds a law degree from the University of Kinshasa, but is also registered at the Bar list of Kinshasa-Gombe (DRC). During the last three he practiced as an attorney at a prominent Law firm, Cabinet Nkwebe Liriss, specializing in civil, commercial and corporate law. His devotion, in terms of technical capacity and expertise, is to help African countries negotiate profitable investment contracts.
• Lilian Melkizedeki Kimaro from Tanzania works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Legal Affairs Unit, as a Foreign Service Officer and an Advocate of the High Court of Tanzania. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management of Foreign Relations from Centre for Foreign Relations, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
• Georgia Mavropoulos-Vagelis is a South African of Greek origin and holds a B Com Financial Management (University of Johannesburg) and a LLB University of South Africa). She is also an admitted South African Attorney in the High Court of South Africa, practised in areas of litigation and commercial law in Johannesburg, and completed an internship at the United Nations Secretariat at the Headquarters in New York (Department for Economic and Social Affairs). Her aspiration is to work in a field where she can add value by policy making both nationally and internationally in developing and improving socio-economic environment in Africa for achieving short term relief with long term goals.
• Fabian Mayondi was a high school educator prior to becoming a lawyer. He currently works as an Assistant Senior State Advocate in the Civil Litigation Department of the Attorney General’s Chambers in Zambia. With the Master’s qualification he would like to shift his focus to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry in order to be an adviser on matters of trade and Investment.
• Nothabiso Clemency Mbonambi from South Africa holds a LLB from the University of Zululand, and worked as a tutor and a student representative in disciplinary hearings on campus. Initially, she would like to work in the South African Ministry of Trade for 5 years in order to assist in the adoption of correct policies from the WTO frameworks, whilst completing a doctorate. After that, she would like to work for the WTO as a researcher.
• Ephraim Mukucha from Zimbabwe holds of Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Fort Hare. He seeks to represent Africa in the World Trade Organization upon completing his Master’s studies, and aims to contribute for the equal representation of Africa in the decision-making body of the World Trade Organization.
• Chipasha Mulenga from Zambia holds an LLB (University of Zambia). In 2006-07, he worked for Mango Grove Investments as Legal Adviser and Human Resource Personnel, from 2007-2010 he was involved at the Legal Resources Chambers as a Learner Legal Practitioner, and from 2010-2011 he was employed as a Human Rights Officer at the Human Rights Commission.
• Erick Nkwi Ndong Tim gained admission to the Cameroon Higher Institute of Administration and Magistracy where he graduated in 1999 as a Senior Public Finance Staff member in Taxation. Since then, he has held senior posts in the Ministry of Finance in Cameroon. His aspiration is to improve on his Government Ministry’s mission in achieving its fundamental goal of improving the living standards of Cameroonians, as per the 2035 Vision of Growth and Employment Strategy Programme.
• Coenrad Scheepers from South Africa holds a LLB (University of Pretoria) and is also a qualified attorney. With the Master’s qualification, he hopes to contribute his time, energy and expertise to the development and growth of the African continent.
• Marijke Smit from South Africa obtained a BCom LLB (University of Pretoria) in 2OO8, and is an admitted attorney and notary public. She would like to be involved in policy formulation and implementation that promotes industry, trade and investment opportunities in Africa. She believes that this would ultimately result in real social and economic advantages for the people of the African continent.

Doctoral Candidates

• Susan Karungi (Uganda) is a LLD Candidate at the IDLU. Her current research focus is the harmonization of regulations in the financial services sector
  in the East African Common Market Area. Susan holds an LLB (Makerere University, Uganda) and is an alumnus of the LLM International Trade and
  Investment Law in Africa programme (2009/2010).
• Sheila B. Keetharuth (Mauritius) is the Executive Director of the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), a pan-African non-governmental
  organization based in Banjul, The Gambia, specializing in litigation before the African human rights system. She joined the LLD programme at the
  University of Pretoria, South Africa, in 2011. The proposed title of her thesis is: Communities as victims of human rights violations in mineral rich Katanga
  (DRC): Pawns in power plays between the State and Transnational Corporations.
• Berita R. Kopolo (Zimbabwe) is a researcher with the International Development Law Unit, Centre for Human Rights. She is also the Implementation and Research Fellow for the Intellectual Property, Human Rights and Access to Medicines project, as well as a researcher for the Gender Unit as well as a member of the working Group on Extractive Industries. She has a keen interest in economic, social and environmental justice issues, and her thesis is entitled: The Role of Extractive Industries’ Corporate Social Responsibility in the Development of Southern Africa.
• Olufemi Soyeju (Nigeria), LL.M (LASU) LLM (UNILAG) B.L., is a LLD candidate at the IDLU. He is also a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria, though currently on study leave.
• Jimcall Pfumorodze (Zimbabwe), LLB (Hons) (University of Zimbabwe) LLM International Trade law and Investment (University of the Western Cape/University of Amsterdam) is currently a lecturer in the Department of Law at the University of Botswana and is enrolled for the LLD programme under the IDLU, University of Pretoria. His topic is: Balancing the right of the state to promote socio-economic development and foreign investment protection in Southern Africa.