She burned the midnight oil with her son when they both embarked on their law degree – and last Friday advocate Dalena Mostert reaped the ultimate reward of appearing as his counsel at his admission as a high court attorney.
Gonubie resident Mostert, 52, spent most of her working life as a teacher and an estate agent, but when one of her four sons decided to study law, she joined him.
“I had done some law subjects in my BA degree and really enjoyed them and so when Phillip matriculated from Hudson Park High in 2004, and law came out tops in his aptitude tests, I said if he was going to study law why not do it together,” said Mostert.
The duo registered for a BA LLB at Unisa and, while the rest of the family slept, they would hit the books round the dining table.
“We’ve always been close so it was a lovely experience that I recommend to any parent. There was a competitive element to it and we would check .”
Mostert said studying with her son helped her understand his academic load, especially since they both had day jobs.
“We could encourage each other through the exams.”
Because her son went to the University of the Fort Hare for a couple of years before re-registering with Unisa, Mostert ended up graduating before him in 2012 and was admitted to the bar as an advocate in Grahamstown the same year.
She then did her pupilage at the Bhisho Society of Advocates in Berea and started her own practice last year.
“I do mostly civil work – divorces, property cases, restraint of trade – and I’m absolutely loving it. It is a complete life change, but you are never too old to start something. You should do things that stimulate you.”
While they spent many hours poring over books together, Phillip took a slightly different route and signed his contract of articles first with Monaghans Attorneys in King William’s Town and later with Wylde and Runchman Incorporated Attorneys in East London, before moving to Pretoria and graduating last year.
But the highlight of the mother/son study spree came last Friday when Mostert appeared as counsel for her son at the Pretoria High Court when he was admitted to the bar.
.“I stood up in court and told the judge that his application was in order, that he had fulfilled all the requirements and that he was a fit and proper person to be admitted as an attorney.
The judge did ask if I was a bit biased and I said ‘Yes, m’lord, as a mother I am’. He said he would not hold it against me.”
Phillip said studying with his mother had brought them even closer.
“I could not have been more honoured to have my mom appear for me. It was very special and I’m so happy she could organise her diary to be there.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Mom burns midnight oil with son
Gonubie resident Mostert, 52, spent most of her working life as a teacher and an estate agent, but when one of her four sons decided to study law, she joined him.
“I had done some law subjects in my BA degree and really enjoyed them and so when Phillip matriculated from Hudson Park High in 2004, and law came out tops in his aptitude tests, I said if he was going to study law why not do it together,” said Mostert.
The duo registered for a BA LLB at Unisa and, while the rest of the family slept, they would hit the books round the dining table.
“We’ve always been close so it was a lovely experience that I recommend to any parent. There was a competitive element to it and we would check .”
Mostert said studying with her son helped her understand his academic load, especially since they both had day jobs.
“We could encourage each other through the exams.”
Because her son went to the University of the Fort Hare for a couple of years before re-registering with Unisa, Mostert ended up graduating before him in 2012 and was admitted to the bar as an advocate in Grahamstown the same year.
She then did her pupilage at the Bhisho Society of Advocates in Berea and started her own practice last year.
“I do mostly civil work – divorces, property cases, restraint of trade – and I’m absolutely loving it. It is a complete life change, but you are never too old to start something. You should do things that stimulate you.”
While they spent many hours poring over books together, Phillip took a slightly different route and signed his contract of articles first with Monaghans Attorneys in King William’s Town and later with Wylde and Runchman Incorporated Attorneys in East London, before moving to Pretoria and graduating last year.
But the highlight of the mother/son study spree came last Friday when Mostert appeared as counsel for her son at the Pretoria High Court when he was admitted to the bar.
.“I stood up in court and told the judge that his application was in order, that he had fulfilled all the requirements and that he was a fit and proper person to be admitted as an attorney.
The judge did ask if I was a bit biased and I said ‘Yes, m’lord, as a mother I am’. He said he would not hold it against me.”
Phillip said studying with his mother had brought them even closer.
“I could not have been more honoured to have my mom appear for me. It was very special and I’m so happy she could organise her diary to be there.” — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
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