Kopkop College Grade 12 student, Jamie Lape decided at an early age to pursue law, because he feels the system had failed his family, and that by becoming one, he hopes to inspire honesty and integrity.
Jamie is the outgoing head boy of Kopkop College and a quiet, strong-minded young man who finished as the second highest academic achiever at the recent 11th grade 12 graduation of Kopkop College.
“There was an incident that occurred when I was a small boy and my family had to go through the trouble of hiring different types of lawyers. We wasted a lot of money.
“I was 12 years old at that time and it really affected me because I had to watch my parents come and go and sometimes, they came late at night. At times some of the lawyers they hired weren’t truthful. I decided that this was something that needed to be corrected,” recalled Jamie.
Learning from this experience Jamie is determined to prove he could bring change by helping others. To Jamie, not everyone is always right, but a lawyer in his opinion must make an effort to be committed and honest.
“You, as a lawyer, have to make an effort to be always available to assist people and especially when they trust you and entrust their legal matters into your hands.”
“And that’s one of my ambitions that if I become a lawyer, I will make sure my clients receive my full service and attention. I will leave no stone unturned.”
The 21-year-old is inspired by his mother, Ms Morrissa, a secondary school teacher at Kopkop College. Jamie says his mother is a strong woman who is unafraid to stand up for what is right.
With pride, Jamie’s father, Willie Lape describes his son as a determined young man, saying he is glad Jamie wants to join the legal force, an area he formerly served as a police officer for 14 years.
“As an ex-policeman I’m proud of Jamie and proud that he is determined to take up law and I’m very thankful to Kopkop College. The school has molded him to be who he is, to study hard and to be confident. The school offers subjects at one grade-level up from other schools and is very competitive,” Mr Lape said.
For Jamie, the support he has received from his teachers, the administration and his friends over the last seven years has certainly helped him to come out of his shell and take on leadership duties which he says will inspire him towards his journey.