Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
02 April 2023 | 22:23 CAT

Photo Credit: Helen Suzman Foundation

The Helen Suzman Foundation has appointed its first Director of Legal Programmes. Naseema Fakir has vast experience in public and private law, particularly constitutional and administrative law. Her career has sought to utilise the law to serve the most vulnerable and marginalised in society.

In an interview with Radio Islam International, Naseema highlighted her interests and the start of appointments in legal cases involving the poor and vulnerable.

Early on in her career as a candidate attorney back in 2004, Naseema consulted with a group of clients in Alex. 30 families had occupied an abandoned warehouse and were on the verge of eviction, making the first exposure to undignified living conditions of the family’s and many others Naseema’s focus throughout her career.

The Helen Suzman foundation recognises that the country is at a turning point in some way. Naseema said conversations should surround accountability, mismanagement of funds, corruption, the civil service and its effectiveness, as that is where the fight is.

Meanwhile, while it is recognised that the government has dropped the ball and needs to be coping and, in some instances, is lost on how to fix the problem, Naseema believes the shining light in South Africa is Civil Society.

“We have a legal framework and a constitution that allows for civil society to freely do its work,” she added.

Listen to the full interview with host ML Junaid Kharsany on Radio Islam’s podcast.