Masakhe 01 DIGITAL HIRES SINGLE - Flipbook - Page 28
HERE
TO STAY:
LOUIE VAN
SCHALKWYK
BY ASHLEY ALLARD
D
octor Louie van
Schalkwyk is a
senior lecturer at the
University of Cape
Town’s Department
of Construction
Economics and Management,
specialising in Property Law
and Contract Law. However, her
professional journey has been a series
of brave jumps into the unknown.
After completing her
undergraduate law degree in
Stellenbosch, Louie left the university
having built a strong connection
with one of her lecturers, Professor
Hanri Mostert. This relationship would
encourage Louie to continue her
studies later in life.
Needing to pay off her student
debt, Louie moved to London with
ISSUE 1
her then-boyfriend (now-husband,
she adds with a smile) and worked as
a law clerk for two years. When she
returned, she completed her Master’s
degree in Sectional Title Property Law
at Stellenbosch before practising as a
lawyer in Cape Town. Louie discovered
that she had a passion for the theoretical
and practical elements of law.
Her practical vocational training as
a candidate attorney allowed Louie
to gain experience in litigation and
conveyancing. Once she was admitted
to practice as an attorney, notary
and conveyancer of the High Court
of South Africa, she practised law
as a conveyancer. After seven years
in the field, she wanted to continue
her studies. Louie explains, “I did not
see myself in practice for the rest of
my career.”
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