With courage, intellect, and an unrelenting pursuit of justice, Professor Rashri Baboolal-Frank has shattered multiple ceilings—becoming the first woman of colour and the first Indian South African to lead the Department of Procedural Lawat the University of Pretoria. Her appointment is not only historic but deeply symbolic in a country still contending with the legacies of exclusion and inequality.

Reflecting on her appointment, Prof Baboolal-Frank acknowledges the profound personal and professional significance of this milestone:

“It means that the proverbial wheel is turning—albeit slowly. I carry this responsibility with a courageous heart, knowing I must lead with excellence and be an ambassador for the women who come after me. There is still much work to be done around diversity and inclusion in academic leadership, but this appointment is a sign of progress.”

Her academic journey spans across disciplines and continents, holding a Doctor of Laws, Masters in Commercial Law, MBA, Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences, and LLB from institutions in both South Africa and the United Kingdom. Transitioning from private legal practice to academia, she has become a recognised authority in civil procedure and litigation, access to justice, indigenous alternative dispute systems, and comparative ADR.

As a scholar and leader, she has cultivated a bold and inclusive vision for procedural law in South Africa.

“My vision is for our lecturers to be dynamic, bold, and invigorated—aligned with the University’s strategic plan and committed to student-centered community engagement. Our students are the future legal minds who will script and shape the laws of tomorrow,” she says.

Her recent editorial contribution, Dispute Resolution in Africa: A Journey Forward (Springer, 2025), further underscores her intellectual leadership in postcolonial and pluralist legal traditions. The launch of this volume marked a significant moment for African legal scholarship and signaled her continued role as a trailblazer in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) on the continent.

Now, as Head of Department, Prof Baboolal-Frank is ushering in a new chapter for Procedural Law—one that embraces interdisciplinary discourse, digital justice innovation, and culturally grounded practices.

“Procedural law is at the heart of how justice is delivered. It must be both principled and progressive. From civil rules to criminal procedure, our responsibility is to ensure that future legal professionals are critically engaged, well-informed, and committed to advancing justice and equity.”

Of course, leadership comes with challenges—both structural and cultural.

“Challenges are inevitable. But I’ve approached them with awareness and resolve. While the path has not been easy, it’s one of overcoming, renewal, and rebirth. Each season brings new hope.”

Beyond her departmental role, she serves on national and international governance bodies, is a certified ADR practitioner, and actively mentors young scholars with a transformative ethos. In a higher education environment where equity remains an aspiration more than a reality, her appointment represents a pivotal moment.

Her message to young women—especially women of colour—pursuing careers in law and academia is one of resilience and vision:

“In the face of adversity, never give up. Hardship shapes us into diamonds—resilient, brilliant, and admired. Your time will come, and when it does, rise and shine.”

Prof Baboolal-Frank’s appointment not only redefines the landscape of legal academia at the University of Pretoria but also reaffirms a truth too often overlooked: that excellence and transformation go hand in hand.