2009/10/20
AT THE age of 75 and after almost three decades of moulding some of the country’s finest legal minds, founding member of the then University of Transkei (Unitra) Law School Professor Digby Koyana is about to retire.
Koyana practised as an attorney between 1969 and 1974 before joining Unitra – now Walter Sisulu University – where he founded the law school in 1980. He lectured at the institution until 2006.
Speaking to the Dispatch last week, Koyana said he was proud to have taught some of the best judges, magistrates, attorneys and prosecutors produced by Unitra.
Some of these included Judge Chris Jafta , who was recently appointed Constitutional Court judge by President Jacob Zuma, Advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Judge Mandisa Maya, who is at the Bloemfontein Supreme Court of Appeal, and Judge Tandazwa Ndita of the Cape High Court.
Koyana has also taught some of the most respected advocates around the country including Selby Mbenenge, SC, and Mbuyiseli Madlanga, SC.
Nkosi Patakile Holomisa , an advocate and president of the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa), was also one of his former students.
On Saturday, Koyana’s former students hosted a gala dinner in East London to honour the contribution he has made to their success in the legal fraternity.
Koyana said he was “astonished” and proud to see how his students had made their mark.
“They are very powerful people today. They are indeed extraordinary fellows. I am extremely proud of them,” said Koyana, adding he was fulfilled by what they had achieved.
“I am confident to say that Unitra has produced the strongest black bar this country has.”
Koyana, who lectures at the University of Fort Hare, will retire at the end of the year. But he said his heart would remain in the classroom. - By LUBABALO NGCUKANA, Mthatha Bureau
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