Kalenda Opai-Tetteh has been selected as the Franklin Thomas fellow for the 2026-27 academic year. The Franklin Thomas Fellowship was established in honour of Franklin Thomas, a former President of the Ford Foundation, to provide an opportunity for a South African who has clerked of the Constitutional Court of South Africa to study at a well-respected university abroad, usually in the United States, on a one-year graduate programme leading to a Masters of Law (LLM) degree.
Kalenda is currently working as a law clerk at the Constitutional Court of South Africa to Deputy Chief Justice Mlambo, having previously worked for the then-Acting Deputy Chief Justice Madlanga, before his retirement from the bench.
She obtained the following qualifications from the University of Cape Town: a Bachelor of Commerce, specialising in economics and finance, a Bachelor of Commerce Honours, specialising in economics (first class), and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (cum laude). Prior to serving at the Constitutional Court, Kalenda spent three, formative years working at a corporate law firm in Johannesburg. During this period, she was exposed to different legal areas, including public and regulatory law and mergers and acquisitions.
Kalenda is passionate about law, development and sustainability. Her research interests lie at the intersection of business and human rights, with a particular focus on sustainable business practices and rethinking transformation-related laws to ensure equitable economic outcomes in South Africa.
Reflecting on being awarded this opportunity, Kalenda commented:
I am so pleased, and honoured, to have been awarded the Franklin Thomas Fellowship. Mr Thomas was a pioneer and his service-driven career materially contributed to ensuring a fairer world for all, especially in South Africa. I hope to carry this mission forward as I embark on my next academic journey. Upon my return, equipped with deeper legal insights and knowledge from my studies, I hope to serve South Africa by working at the intersection of business and human rights.
