School of Law
Mercantile and Labour Law
Our law alumni have dominated every facet of the South African legal profession and judiciary
WHY CHOOSE SCHOOL OF LAW
Our graduates emerge as champions of mercantile and labour law, leading the charge in shaping fair business practices and fostering equitable workplaces for all.
Adv. Mafanywa MANGAMMBI
Head of Department
Welcome to the lively community of the Department of Mercantile and Labour Law at the University of Limpopo’s School of Law. We are passionate about delving into the complexities of mercantile (commercial) and labour law. Our dedicated staff members are here to help and guide you as you begin your journey of discovery in these fascinating fields. We are dedicated to nurturing your growth and assisting you in meeting your academic and professional objectives through engaging discussions, hands-on learning experiences, and personalised mentorship. Whether you aspire to work in law, business, or another field, our programmes will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed.
In addition to our comprehensive academic programmes, we offer experiential learning opportunities, internships, and networking events to enhance your practical skills and industry connections. Our faculty members are not only experts in their fields but also dedicated mentors, guiding you through your academic journey and beyond.
From legal practice to human resources management, our programmes provide a solid foundation for navigating the complexities of business and employment law. Join us as we explore the ever-evolving landscape of commerce and labour relations, preparing you for a successful career in law and beyond.
Here are some possible career paths:
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Legal Researcher
- Human Resources Manager
- Employment Law Advisor
- Corporate Counsel
- Compliance Officer
- Arbitrator/Mediator
- Policy Analyst
- Government Official/Regulator
- Contract Manager
- Legal Aid Worker
- Administrative Law Judge
Encouraging and facilitating critical thinking, and incorporating national democratic values in the curriculum, to advance constitutional transformation
Constitutional transformation
- The Constitution is nothing but a settlement between diverse people, eroding the wrongs of the past and paving the way to the future. A wise man once said that a perfect settlement is reached when none of the parties are totally satisfied.
- The foundation of a democratic society requires accountability of every person, organisation and government operating within such society. The Constitution stipulates the standard of compliance for
a democratic society.
Critical Thinking
- We are living in a constantly changing world, where what was appropriate yesterday will not necessarily be appropriate today and where what is appropriate today will not necessarily be appropriate tomorrow.
- To be able to evaluate the current, sufficient knowledge must be obtained and applied with the aptitude of enhancing what is good and changing what is bad. An attitude to positively criticise and constantly rethinking with the purpose of providing solutions characterises the LLB offering of the department.
Encourage and Facilitate
The department of mercantile and labour law encourages
experienced law academics to join the quest of Finding Solutions fro Africa by being part of the University of Limpopo. It delivers a variety of mercantile and labour law subjects, that are better placed to empower students in a constantly transforming society.
National values and Considerations
South Africa consists of a multitude of diverse cultures, religions and customs. The whole spectrum of humanity brands our nation. Recognition and respect for all inhabitants is key to a successful society. The law is a
product of a countries values and considerations underpinning the structures of society.
Academic Staff
Adv. Mafanywa MANGAMMBI
Qualifications
- LLB (Univen) LLM (UL;) ; Certificate Alternative Disputes Resolution and Certificate Introduction to Gender Based Violence
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 2931
- Email: mafanywa.mangammbi@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Labour Law, human rights, social security
Recent publications
- Maloka, TC & Mangammbi, M. (2021) The Complexities of Conditional Contracts of Employment. SAMLJ, 32(2), 295-307
- Retraction of a ‘Hot-headed Resignation’ caused by Depression: Lessons from Cairncross/Legal and Tax (Pty) Ltd 2019 (2) BALR 137 (CCMA) in 2023 South African Mercantile Law Journal (forthcoming)
Prof. Itumeleng TSHOOSE
Qualifications
- LLD (Unisa); LLM, LLB (NWU); Certificate in Economic, Social & Cultural Rights (Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian & Human Rights Law, Switzerland)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268
- Email: itumeleng.tshoose@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Labour law, social security law, occupational health and safety law, and human rights law
Recent publications
- Tshoose CI ‘The role and impact of constitutional values of ubuntu, equality and human dignity in the interpretation and protection of the right to have access to social security in South Africa’ [Article accepted for publication, Journal of Juridical Science (2023 forthcoming)].
- Kgaphola JM and Tshoose CI ‘Unpacking the issue of progressive realisation of the basic income grant: A South African perspective [Article accepted for publication Southern African Public Law Journal (2023 forthcoming)].
- Tshoose CI and Kgaphola JM ‘The pros and cons of a side hustle in an employment relationship: Bakenrug Meat (Pty) Ltd t/a Joostenberg Meat V CCMA & Others 2022 (4) BLLR 319 (LAC)’ (2023) 42(2) OBITER Law Journal 447-458.
- Tshoose CI and Rapatsa M ‘Who will Watch the Watchers? A Critical Perspective on Police Brutality in Post-Apartheid South Africa’ (2022) XX International Human Rights Law Review 1-24.
- Tshoose CI ‘Appraisal of selected themes on the impact of international standards on labour and social security law in South Africa’ (2022) (5) PER Journal/ PELJ 1-43.
- Tshoose CI and Lonias N ‘COVID-19 and employment law in South Africa: Comparative perspectives on selected themes’ (2021) vol. 33 (1) SA Mercantile Law Journal 25-56.
- Tshoose CI ‘Dismissal arising from flouting COVID-19 Health and Safety Protocols- Eskort Limited v Stuurman Mogotsi & Others 2021’ (2021) vol. 42(3) OBITER 692-702.
Prof. Gerda van NIEKERK
Qualifications
- BComm, LLB, LLD (UP)
- Admitted as Attorney (1988), Conveyancer (1988) and Notary (1989)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 4223
- Email: gertruida.vanniekerk@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Financial stability, Central Bank, Financial inclusion, Financial regulation, Financial law, Financial and economic transformation
Recent publications
- Van Niekerk, Gerda, 2023. A legal-historical perspective of three central banks concerning the nationalisation of the South African Reserve Bank. Fundamina, 29(1), pp. 80-109.
- Van Niekerk, Gertruida, 2023. Digital transformation strategies for financial inclusion in South African rural areas. In Financial Inclusion Regulatory Practices in SADC: Addressing Prospects and Challenges in the 21st Century. Howard Chitimira and Tapiwa Warikandwa (Eds.).
- Van Niekerk, Gerda; 2022. Building financial resilience through financial education to withstand a pandemic. Speculum Juris, 36, pp 309-324
- Van Niekerk, Gerda and ‘Nyane, Hoolo, 2022. Accountability in the twin peaks model of financial regulation in South Africa. South African Mercantile Law Journal, 34(3), pp.382-403.
- Van Niekerk, MG. 2022. Appraisal of financial inclusion in South Africa: Proposing the agent banking model implemented in Malaysia. South African Mercantile Law Journal, 33(3), pp 447-469.
- Van Heerden, Corlia and Van Niekerk Gerda. 2022. The role of the SARB as central bank in the South African Twin Peaks model. In The Cambridge Handbook of Twin Peaks Financial Regulation. Andrew Godwin and Andrew Schmulow (Eds.).
- Van Niekerk, MG and Phaladi NH. 2021. Digital financial services: Prospects and challenges. PER/PELJ, 24 DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2021/v24i0a10744 pp. 1-25.
- Van Niekerk, Gerda. 2021. The Financial Sector Regulation Act of 2017 with specific reference to the VBS Mutual Bank. Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law, 10, pp 122-140.
Dr. Isaiah Mmatipe SEFOKA
Qualifications
- LLD, LLM, LLB (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 4767
- Email: Mmatipe.Sefoka@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Education law; Labour law and Human Rights
Recent publications
- Tumo Charles Maloka and Isaiah Mmatipe Sefoka. Accountability, Estoppel and Bypassing of the Municipal Finance Management Act: A Note on Merifon (Pty) Ltd v Greater Letaba Municipality Trilogy.
- Reginal Masilo Matsheta and Isaiah Mmatipe Sefoka. Load-Shedding in South Africa: An Immediate Threat to the Right to Education, “Section 29 Inquiry”
Dr. Precious SIHLANGU
Qualifications
- LLD, LLM, LLB (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 3689
- Email: precious.sihlangu@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Land reform, Labour law, Social security and Human rights law
Recent publications
- Precious Sihlangu and Kola O. Odeku (2021) Critical analysis of transformative interventions redressing apartheid land discrimination and injustices in South Africa: from land segregation to inclusivity. International Journal of Discrimination and the Law, SAGE.
- Precious Sihlangu and Kola O. Odeku (2021) Exploring the Intrinsic Roles of International Financial Institutions fostering Redistributed Land for Development and Economic Growth in South Africa. Perspectives of Law and Public Administration.
Adv. Lufuno Tokyo NEVONDWE
Qualifications
- LLM, LLB (Univen)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 3634
- Email: lufuno.nevondwe@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Labour Law, Pension Law and Corporate Law
Recent publication
- Nevondwe LT, Retirement reforms: the practical implications of annuitisation, Insurance and Tax Journal, Volume 36, number 2, June 2021, Lexis Nexis
Mr. Reginald Masilo MATSHETA
Qualifications
- LLB, LLM (UL), PGDip (DUT-current)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 3649
- Email: Reginald.matsheta@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Labour Law and Constitutional Law
Recent publications
- Panoramas of Regulating the Right to Reproductive Health: A Remedy to Socio-Economic Challenges in South Africa-2022
- Load-shedding in South Africa: An Immediate Threat to the Right to Education, “Section 29 Inquiry”-2023
- ‘The Fly in the Ointment’ or simply a ‘Born-Again Shop Steward’ Defending Workers’ Rights to Fair Representation? – The Case of Msunduzi Municipality v Hoskins 2017 38 ILJ 582 (LAC) in Retrospect-2023
- The mantle of the Shop Steward is not an easy one to wear; Numsa obo Motloba v Johnson Control Automative SA (Pty) Ltd (2017) 38 ILJ 1626 (LAC) Revisited-2023
Ms. Ledile Lisbeth LETSOALO
Qualifications
- LLB (UL) LLM (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 4318
- Email: lisbeth.letsoalo@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Banking Law & Insurance Law
Ms Anelia DODD
Qualifications
- B Proc (UFS), LLM Tax Law (UNISA) Post Graduate certificate in Administration of Deceased Estates (UNISA)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 2712
- Email: anelia.dodd@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Succession, Addiction, alcoholism and the Law, Therapeutic Jurisprudence.
Ms. Floyd Charmaine MOGANE
Qualifications
- LLB, LLM (UL)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 2577
- Email: floyd.mogane@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Commercial Law,
- Business Law,
- Insurance Law & Banking Law
Dr. Werner SCHOEMAN
Qualifications
- B. Comm LLB LLM (UL) LLD (NWU)
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 2931
- Email: werner.schoeman@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Corporate Governance,
- Consumer Protection
Recent publications
- Schoeman, w. and Rapatsa, M. 2021. Towards Safeguarding Rural Communities’ Social and Economic Interests in Communal Property. Open Journal of Legal Studies, 4(31), 31-44.
- Schoeman, W. 2022. South African Governance Legal Framework for Corporate Disclosures and Reporting: Part 1-Voluntary Sustainability Reporting. SA Mercantile Law – Vol 34(2), 268-292.
Adv. Reuben LETSEKU
Qualifications
- B.Juris, LLB (UN) LLM in Labour Law (Georgetown University)
- Certificate in Human Rights (UJ)
- Certificate in arbitration George Meany Centre for Labor Studies
Contacts
- Tel: 015 268 4626
- Email: pacific.nkuna@ul.ac.za
Areas of interest
- Labour law
Recent publications
- Letseku R and Tshoose CI ‘The breakdown of the trust relationship between employer and employee as a ground of dismissal: Interpreting LAC decision in Autozone’ Vol. 1 (2020) SA Mercantile Law Journal 156-174.