Dear

Motivational Letter.

The increasing urgency to deal with environmental issues such as climate change, conservation and pollution has not escaped the attention of the South African government. These problems are high on the international public’s agenda. South Africa has made great progress in the area, not only in the legal field but also socially. It greatly excites me to see the development of alternative energy sources such as the new wind farms, and to read the proposed environmental tax incentives. The field of environmental law is thus a rapidly developing specialty. As the number of governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with environmental issues has increased dramatically over the past two decades, so has the demand for attorneys with extensive knowledge of environmental law. My goal is to be part of this exciting field, and to find new solutions to present environmental issues.

My desire to complete an LLM in environmental law at The University of the Witwatersrand stems from a lifelong passion for the environment and the conservation thereof, as well as a passion for the law. My mother is a Biology teacher and my grandfather was a prominent attorney at Hofmeyr. As a result, I grew up acutely aware of the natural world around me, and I always wanted to be an attorney, and to have a positive impact in my chosen field. I am inspired by attorneys such as Cormac Cullinan and Terry Winstanley, who have made a tremendous impact in the field on an international level. I someday hope to follow in their footsteps.

Wits is my first and only choice. The reputation of the Oliver Schreiner School of Law as one of the top Law Schools in Africa is well established. Wits is also ranked in the top 400 of universities worldwide. I want to learn from the best, and get the best possible education.

I have only listed one chosen LLM in my application because this is my dream and I am prepared to work very hard to achieve this goal.

I am confident that I am more than capable of performing very well in the LLM program, if given the opportunity. I know I have the passion, drive, enthusiasm and ability to make a great success thereof.

I hope that my application will be accepted, and look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely