WALTER SISULU SCHOOL OF LAW COACHES BUSINESS OWNERS ON CONTRACTS

iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu School of Law, through its Small Business Clinic Initiative, brought law students and local business owners together for a practical seminar on managing business contracts at the Zamukulungisa Campus.

Hosted in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CfERI), the seminar focused on the legal aspects of sale, lease and credit agreements, equipping entrepreneurs with knowledge to better manage contractual relationships while giving third-year law students an opportunity to apply their classroom learning to real-life business situations.

Convened by Senior Lecturer in Mercantile Law at the School of Law, Dr Kudzai Mpofu, the engagement formed part of the School's commitment to work-integrated learning, experiential legal education and community engagement.

Mpofu highlighted the importance of connecting legal theory with the practical realities of business, noting that the initiative creates an opportunity for students to share their legal knowledge while learning from the experiences of entrepreneurs.

“Legal education must extend beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as the Small Business Clinic, we create opportunities for students to engage directly with the communities they will eventually serve, understand the challenges entrepreneurs encounter and appreciate how legal knowledge can be applied to address practical business needs,” said Mpofu.

During the seminar, third-year law students delivered presentations on the law of sale, focusing on the rights and obligations of contracting parties, the importance of properly drafted agreements and the legal remedies available when contractual obligations are breached.

The presentations stimulated engagement between students and entrepreneurs, allowing business owners to share their experiences and raise questions about challenges encountered in everyday commercial transactions.

Third-year law student, Sboniso Dlamini said the seminar provided valuable exposure to the practical application of legal principles.

“The seminar gave us an opportunity to move beyond textbooks and engage with the legal challenges that entrepreneurs face in running their businesses. It also taught us that knowing the law is not enough. As future legal practitioners, we must be able to communicate legal principles clearly and provide practical solutions that respond to the needs of our communities,” said Dlamini.

Mpofu also chaired an interactive discussion on lease and credit law, exploring how entrepreneurs can negotiate favourable contractual terms, identify potential legal risks, manage their obligations and use commercial agreements to protect and advance their business interests.

The seminar also provided a platform for entrepreneurs to share practical business experiences and reflect on the importance of legal compliance in running sustainable enterprises.

By Anita Roji