By Wandiswa Mncube
Dr. Vuyo Mthethwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for People and Operations at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), has launched a compelling biography titled Vuka Tshabalala: On Trial. The book chronicles the remarkable life and career of her father, retired KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Vuka Tshabalala, highlighting his struggles in the legal profession during the apartheid era and his influential role in the Clermont community.
The book is on his journey as a young black law graduate who came from Clermont, a township near New Germany. It highlights the challenges of being a lawyer as a black man during apartheid, racial barriers in the legal profession and his eventual rise to a respected position in South Africa’s judiciary.
“There were no facilities for me because of my race,” his daughter says he’d say.
Dr Vuyo Mthethwa expressed that it was her heartfelt wish to complete and release the book while her father was still alive to see his story told. “This book is a tribute to his courage, his sacrifices, and the path he paved for so many others,” she said. “I wanted him to witness this recognition, to know that his legacy is valued and preserved for future generations.”
The book also pays tribute to Dr. Mthethwa’s late mother Pearl Tshabalala , whose unwavering commitment to the Clermont community left a lasting legacy of its own. Several chapters highlight her activism, compassion, and leadership, which earned her deep respect among residents. Her dedication to community upliftment was eventually honoured with a road in Clermont being named after her—a symbol of the impact she made beyond the walls of her home. Through these pages, Dr. Mthethwa ensures her mother’s story is also remembered alongside that of her father’s legal journey.
The book contributes to the documentation of South Africa’s legal and social history, shedding light on the challenges and achievements of individuals who navigated the legal system during and after apartheid.
