Championing Public Interest In South Africa - Section 27

In this segment, AGAG Executive Director, Niamani Mutima, talks with Umunyana Rugege, Executive Director of  SECTION27, about her career and recent appointment to lead Section27 based in South Africa. Established in 2010 as the AIDS Law Project, one of the most successful post-apartheid human rights organizations, Section27 has  become a leading public interest law center. Guided by the principles and values in the Constitution  it works to advance its mission  to achieve substantive equality and social justice in South Africa . Section27 uses law, advocacy, legal literacy, research and community mobilization to achieve access to healthcare services and basic education. It aims to achieve structural change and accountability to ensure the dignity and equality of everyone.

Umunyana discusses her background and career path that lead to taking over the helm of a high profile public law center. She talks about the history of Section27, the evolution of the organization's leadership, and its role in championing public interest law in South Africa. 

Learn more about the work of +Section27 

About Umunyana Rugege

Umunyana Rugege is the Executive Director of SECTION27.  She is a legal practitioner who has worked with SECTION27 since its inception in 2010. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo; a Master of Professional Studies from Cornell University., and an LLB from the University of Cape Town. She has clerked at the International Criminal Court in The Hague and has more than 10 years experience in the legal profession as an admitted attorney in South Africa. She has played a leading role in significant public cases and leads a newly configured leadership team at SECTION27 who are driving the organization’s work.