A change in course direction set Ms Louversheni Govender on a path she had not planned to take.
“I think it was sort of divine intervention that guided me to alter direction and not complete my final year of a Bachelor of Science degree choosing rather to study Law!” she says.
That decision led to her graduating with an LLB cum laude qualification from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Her journey began in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when she was a part-time student…and seven months pregnant. At the same time, she was caring for her sick mother, who passed away later that year. “When I started my LLB, I did not expect to achieve this level of academic success,” she says.
The years that followed were not easy. Govender balanced many roles. “Some of my biggest challenges were COVID-19, the loss of my mother, being pregnant, and studying part-time,” she explained.
Despite this, she kept going. Graduating cum laude means more than marks to her. “It means I have completed my LLB with distinction,” she says. “It is an attestation of my sacrifices, hard work, dedication and God’s blessings.”
Her motivation came from home. “The voice of my late mother telling me that I was meant to be a lawyer stayed with me,” she says. She also paid tribute to her father, husband and children. Their support helped her push through difficult days.
Discipline played a big role in her success. “I would read my study material several times before lectures,” she says. “Attending lectures helped me understand better.” She preferred studying early in the morning. “I studied while everyone else was asleep.”
Time management was important – she had to balance family and studies. “I remember attending online lectures with my children,” she says. “Sometimes they would greet my lecturers who were kind and understanding.”
Her view of law changed over time. “At first, I thought it was just a profession that pays well,” she says. “But I began to see how it helps people.” This inspired her to focus on human rights and constitutional, family and maritime law.
She received merit awards and a scholarship during her studies. “These moments showed my hard work and sacrifices while graduating cum laude displayed my resilience and strength.”
Her goal is to become an admitted attorney – she wants to help people who struggle to access justice. “I want to make an impact on people who still suffer injustice and oppression,” she added.
Words: Oliver Meth
Photograph: Sethu Dlamini