Thabo Gabriel Mathule

Thabo Gabriel Mathule, 23, is a determined young legal mind from Galeshewe, Kimberley, in the Northern Cape, whose commitment to social justice has left an enduring mark on the communities he serves. Thabo originally dreamed of becoming a media personality. That passion remains, but life’s turns led him to another calling — law, studying it at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), obtaining an LLB in 2024, and he is now pursuing a postgraduate qualification in labour law. Thabo’s resume is an impressive portfolio of community engagement and leadership, serving as a legal intern at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, representing UJ at multiple moot court competitions, and being selected for leadership programmes including the Young African Leaders Initiative and Stellenbosch University’s social justice courses. Thabo’s activism also echoes through media: UJTV’s In Conversation series is a legacy of student-led initiatives. Currently a candidate attorney in the Northern Cape Premier’s Office, Thabo continues to mentor youth, champion equality and strengthen civic literacy. A Thuli Madonsela Foundation ambassador, Thabo coaches learners for the National Schools Moot Court Competition.

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB), University of Johannesburg
• Postgraduate studies in Labour Law, University of Johannesburg (*in progress)
• Certificates in African Insights – Artificial Intelligence – International Organisational Leadership, University of Johannesburg
• Social Justice Trainers’ Certificate, Centre for Social Justice, Stellenbosch University
• Queer Masterclasses and African Leadership Short Courses, FVZS Institute, Stellenbosch University
• Civic Leadership Certificate, Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) — final cohort, 2024

• Selected for the UJ Poetry Academy and named inaugural champion of the CALS & SLS Public Interest Law Moot, serving additionally as Constitutional Court Clerk, student coordinator, assessor and organising committee member
• Represented the University of Johannesburg in multiple moots, including the Philip C Jessup and All-Africa Human Rights competitions, and selected for the ENS Employment Law Moot
• Three-time winner of the UJ All Residence Concert (2020, 2022, 2023); finalist in the Mx UJ Pageant and featured in Transformers Magazine
• Held leadership roles including Social, Culture and Welfare Officer, recognised for advancing diversity and inclusion, and contributed to student housing and transformation initiatives.
• Served as a legal intern at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), working within the Right to Protest, Business and Human Rights, and Democracy and Homelands units.
• Presented the UJ Law Clinic in its first international collaboration with the University of Gdańsk, and featured twice on UJTV In Conversation, now an ongoing media series developed through this work.
• Graduate of the UJ Young Leaders Development Programme, YALI Civic Leadership, and EPIC Leadership Training with Professor Thuli Madonsela; currently serves as a Foundation ambassador and volunteer.
• Certified social justice trainer by Stellenbosch University, with membership in both the Social Justice Educators and Equality Law Educators Association; invited to the Expert Symposium on Social Justice.
• Other roles include accredited election observer, panellist on UJ’s 30 Years of Democracy Public Lecture, participant in a health and wellbeing roundtable, PR/Marketing Officer for the award-winning Sivuyile Mentorship Academy, and research lead for Teens with Vision.
• Appointed as candidate attorney by the Northern Cape Office of the Premier, with a focus on mentoring scholar-activists and sustaining institutional legacies — including UJTV programming and inclusive leadership frameworks.
• Elevated the Public Interest Law Moot through strategic partnerships, securing top legal professionals as final-round assessors.
• Contributed to national dialogue and policy through ongoing engagements with the Thuli Madonsela Foundation and Centre for Social Justice, influencing decision-making at executive government level.

I am honoured to have worked closely with Professor Madonsela, Professor Madlingozi and Ms Natasha Naidoo. They have greatly impacted my continuous learning and career. As my former bosses and workplace mentors, they have helped me build confidence and etiquette in the tools I use today to fight for justice in the world. I aspire to produce work and leadership of their calibre one day. They have also recommended me as a future legal eagle, which I find extraordinary, because their support has come with resources to help me achieve my goals. I am also most grateful to my mother, whom I witnessed modelling great personality and professionalism during her working years.