Justice. Humanity. Dignity. These are not words that simply decorate the opening lines of Benjamin Tshishiku’s story — they are the spine of his becoming. From the very first moment he speaks, you get the sense that law, for him, has never been a box to tick or a title to earn. It is a responsibility. A calling. A purpose stitched into his worldview long before he knew it by name.
A Calling, Not a Career
Growing up in a diverse community, Benjamin was a child who watched the world with sharp eyes and an even sharper sense of fairness. He saw, early on, how unequal access to justice shaped people’s lives. The awareness didn’t intimidate him — it lit a fire. Although he once dreamt of being a pilot, fascinated by airplanes from frequent travel, life rerouted him back to the ground, to people, and ultimately, to the law.
“It wasn’t just a career choice,” he reflects. “It was something created for me.”
The Human Behind the Case Number
Benjamin describes himself as a lawyer and a lifelong humanitarian — a combination that doesn’t just define what he does, but how he does it. This humanitarian lens shapes every interaction, every draft, every dispute he resolves.
For him, the law is never just legislation, paperwork or procedure. It is a human experience first.
Behind every contract is a person.
Behind every court file is a life.
Behind every case number is a story.
This perspective keeps him grounded. It guides him toward fairness instead of ego, empathy instead of detachment. “I don’t want to be a lawyer who just argues and moves on,” he says. “I want to restore dignity through the process itself.”
This perspective is rare in a profession often associated with prestige, power and billable hours. Yet, it is exactly what makes Benjamin part of a new generation of lawyers rewriting what legal advocacy looks like.
Studying the Law in Two Worlds
Benjamin’s academic journey began at the University of South Africa, where he completed his LLB under the demanding nature of distance learning. UNISA shaped his discipline — a self-driven structure that required commitment, long nights, and unwavering purpose. With no lecturers walking past to remind him of deadlines, Benjamin learned to be his own structure, motivator, and accountability partner.
But he didn’t stop there.
His studies with the University of London expanded his worldview and opened the door to international law. Learning law in two different legal contexts became one of the biggest advantages in his professional arsenal. It taught him that law cannot be read in isolation — it must be understood across borders, systems, and cultures.
Before the Courtroom: Moot Courts, Training & Grit
Transitioning from theory to practice is often the hardest part of becoming a lawyer. But Benjamin’s story unfolded differently. His involvement in moot court competitions during varsity sharpened his litigation skills early, preparing him for the realities of practice long before he wore a suit to court.
His Practical Legal Training at the University of Pretoria further laid the groundwork for his board exams and articles — a structured, intense six-month program that would shape the next chapter of his life.
The journey wasn’t glamorous. It was filled with nights spent awake at 1am, days struggling to stay confident through uncertainty, and periods where self-doubt became a silent shadow. But he held on to one thing — the end goal.
That end goal kept him moving, even when the road stretched beyond comfort.
The Day Everything Made Sense
Becoming an admitted attorney of the High Court is more than a milestone in law. It is a full-circle moment where every late night, every doubt, and every sacrifice suddenly feels justified.
For Benjamin, admission was not just the culmination of his LLB or his articles — it was the closing of a lifelong loop that began in grade R when he didn’t yet know what his future held.
“It is a feeling you cannot fully describe,” he says. “People see the result, but they never see the race.”
His admission was the moment the boy who dreamt of justice became the man who delivers it.
Corporate Law: A New Battlefield
Today, Benjamin works as a Legal Associate in the financial services sector — a world that demands precision, intellect, and responsibility.
Unlike traditional law firms, his day doesn’t revolve around court appearances. Instead, he protects the organisation from legal risk:
- Drafting complex contracts
- Handling legal disputes
- Ensuring compliance with the POPIA Act
- Guiding departments on safe, compliant decision-making
- Preventing multi-million rand sanctions or fines
It’s a high-pressure role where one mistake can cost more than money — it can cost credibility.
He brings the same humanitarian edge into corporate law. Even in contract drafting, he balances protection with fairness. “Every act can be used for you or against you. You must draft responsibly,” he explains.
Litigation may have been exciting, but it was corporate law that gave him the mental stimulation and long-term vision he was seeking.
POPIA, Compliance & Legal Risks — The Reality of Corporate Law
One of the most critical areas he deals with is the POPIA Act — legislation that protects personal information.
From employees to clients, no information can be shared without consent or a proper court order. The risk is so serious that organisations can face hefty fines for violations.
This is why his role is important: he stands between the company and potential legal danger.
The Art of Drafting, The Challenge of Litigation
Drafting is Benjamin’s favourite part of the job.
Where some see pages of legal jargon, he sees strategy, structure, creativity — even excitement.
“When you draft a contract, you’re protecting your client, your company, and the integrity of the agreement,” he explains. “You have to think. You have to be fair. You have to comply with the law.”
Litigation, on the other hand, is his greatest challenge — not because he lacked skill, but because of the emotional and physical toll.
Court days are long, draining, and unpredictable. One minute you’re handling a divorce matter; the next, you're arguing a maintenance case. The mental switch is exhausting.
This, he says, is part of what pushed him toward corporate law, where his passion for structure and drafting could flourish.
But litigation?
“It’s still my passion,” he admits. “I may return someday.”
Good Lawyer vs. Great Lawyer
Benjamin doesn’t hesitate when asked what makes a great lawyer:
A good lawyer argues to win.
A great lawyer argues with purpose, empathy, and moral grounding.
He confidently places himself between those two — but leaning toward greatness.
“I practise the law with passion,” he says. “With intention. With clarity. With love for the client and the work.”
Misconceptions & South Africa’s Legal Reality
One misconception he challenges is the belief that law is extremely difficult or reserved for “smart” people.
“Law is not hard. It’s about work ethic and passion,” he says.
He also dismisses the idea that law is about prestige or arguing in court. It is service, patience, continuous learning — and positive impact.
A Global Perspective: International Law and Moot Court Glory
Benjamin’s international exposure began during his university years when he represented South Africa in an international moot court competition in Australia — reaching the semifinals and arguing against countries like France.
The experience changed everything.
“It built my passion,” he says. “It taught me the law is bigger than our borders.”
Today, with insights from the University of London, he sees himself practising international law — even at the ICC — if the opportunity presents itself.
Using an LLB Beyond South Africa
Benjamin confirms that a South African LLB opens international doors, including the UK and Canada, as long as one completes the required bridging programs or exams. It’s a degree that travels.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder and What’s Next
The legal career path in corporate settings varies across companies — from legal associate to specialist, senior associate, advisor, manager, and head of legal. Each organization structures it differently.
Benjamin's personal journey? Just getting started.
Next year, he will pursue his Master’s degree in Banking Law while preparing for his Notary exam — a qualification that allows attorneys to draft and authenticate financial agreements and specialised documents.
“My December is already full,” he jokes. “No festivities — just studying.”
But the real dream?
Becoming a Doctor of Law.
A professor.
A thought leader.
That’s the end goal.
And every study session, every exam, every late night brings him closer.
The Story Continues
Benjamin ends with simple but powerful words:
“Enjoy the law. Stay humble. Keep learning. See you at the top.”
And with the fire he carries, the top seems less like an aspiration — and more like an inevitability.
