The departure of a nonconformist

Justice Unity Dow's impending retirement from the Botswana High Court is not surprising given her unconventionality. Customarily, judges literally die on the bench. At 49, she is still a youngster in a profession where people retire in their 70s. Throughout her life, she appears to be a nonconformist. She was the first Motswana woman to be appointed a High Court judge. Years before that appointment, she was the only female law student when she studied at the then University of Botswana and Swaziland. She was a co-founder of the first all-female law firm in the country - Dow, Malakaila Attorneys. She could also be the only published novelist in the local law fraternity.

In fact, Dow has been everything in the judiciary, a public prosecutor, defence lawyer, human rights lawyer, litigant, researcher and a judge. "I hope the only thing I have not been is a criminal. I have enjoyed all sides of the law."