Summa cum laude LLB graduate Ms Kerrie-Lee Olivier received seven awards for her study prowess.

Olivier (23) from Austerville in Wentworth received the awards during the Victoria & Griffiths Mxenge Lecture presentation held the day before the Law Graduation ceremony.

The awards were: the Phatshoane Henney Group Honour Medal presented to students who obtain their degree summa cum laude; the Anand Nepaul Prize for the best Civil Procedure student; the LexisNexis Prize for the best Maritime Law student; the Shepstone & Wylie Award for the best Maritime Law student; the Shunmugam N Chetty Memorial Prize given to a final year student with the best aggregate in Human Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Procedure and Administrative Law; the Abel Torf Prize for best overall LLB student; and the Abel Torf Prize also given to the best LLB student.

Olivier attributes her success to her family, especially her mother. ‘I have a close-knit family who are all supportive and genuinely happy for me. I think my biggest supporters and cheerleaders are my parents. I am the first child to graduate in my immediate family and the first grandchild to graduate on my dad’s side of the family. I know that makes my parents proud and excited,’ she said.

She says she fell in love with Law while in Grade 11 at school. ‘I knew I wanted a career that involved a challenge and required analytical thinking – Law was the obvious choice.’

Olivier, who described herself as “goal-oriented”, said she gave her best in every facet of life. ‘I try my best to ensure that I am a balanced individual by constantly reminding myself that I am only in my early twenties and by making time for friends and family. Dancing is a “de-stresser” for me so the little free time I have involves music and dance.’

Olivier is now studying for a Masters degree in Employment Law after which she will do her articles of clerkship at ENSafrica.

Further down the line she wants to lecture.

Words: Sithembile Shabangu