LIBODE ROOTS INSPIRE MVIKWENI TO CHAMPION CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO HEALTHCARE

Advancing children’s right to healthcare, particularly for those living in rural communities, is at the heart of 24-year-old Mlondolozi Mvikweni’s Master of Laws research.

Mvikweni graduated with a Master of Laws (LLM) at iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu’s Spring Graduation, adding the qualification to his academic journey as a Private Law lecturer at the institution.

His research examines the gap between Section 28(1)(c) of the Constitution, which protects children’s right to basic healthcare services, and the realities faced by children in rural areas.

“My research asks how a parent in a rural village can hold the state accountable without necessarily having access to an  attorney. If I can contribute one practical pathway towards making rights more accessible to ordinary people, then I believe my work has served a purpose,” he said.

The law enthusiast also explored how law and policy can better align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the National Development Plan 2030.

“The study proposes policy reforms to enhance alignment with the SDGs and NDP, advocating for improved governance, increased investment, and a rights-based approach to healthcare delivery. Ultimately, the research aims to bridge the gap between South Africa’s legal obligations and the lived realities of children, ensuring that healthcare access is equitable, effective, and consistent with both constitutional and international human rights standards,” said Mvikweni.

For Mvikweni, the research is more than an academic project, it is largely inspired by what he witnessed growing up in Libode.

“My interest grew from my childhood in Libode, where I watched children travel long distances to clinics only to find no doctors. Those experiences made me realise that having a right protected by the Constitution does not always mean that people experience that right in their everyday lives,” he said.

Born and raised in Mthombe, Libode, Mvikweni grew up with parents who had never had the opportunity to attend school. Despite this, they placed education at the centre of his future.

“I come from an ordinary family with extraordinary hopes. From a very young age, I understood that education would be the bridge between where I come from and where I want to go. My parents did not have the opportunity to receive an education themselves, but they always believed that education could change my life,” said Mvikweni.

Now lecturing Private Law, Mvikweni has carried this perspective into the classroom. He believes legal education should encourage students to consider the people affected by the law, rather than focusing only on legal principles.

“Private law should not be taught as abstract doctrine that exists separately from our society. As a lecturer, I encourage my students to ask not only what the rule is, but whom it serves and whom it excludes,” he asserted.

Mvikweni’s research is grounded in Transformative Constitutionalism, which he said should ensure that constitutional rights translate into meaningful change.

He proudly dedicated his LLM to his late sister, Zizipho Mvikweni, whose memory remains central to his academic journey.

“Every time I stand before my students, I carry her name with me. I wish she could have been here to witness this achievement, but I hope that the work I do honours her memory,” said Mvikweni.

As a self-described “door opener” for his family, Mvikweni hopes his journey will inspire young people from rural communities to pursue education and create opportunities for others.

By Yanga Ziwele