School of Law

Public and Environmental Law

Our law alumni have dominated every facet of the South African legal profession and judiciary

WHY CHOOSE SCHOOL OF LAW

Transforming into graduates, our students emerge as catalysts for legal innovation and environmental stewardship, leading the way towards a more sustainable future.

Adv. Mashele Rapatsa

Prof. Hoolo NYANE

Head of Department

Our department is dedicated to exploring the complex intersection of law, governance, and environmental sustainability. Through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching methods, and community engagement, we strive to provide our students with the knowledge and skills they need to address today’s complex legal challenges. Our programmes provide a comprehensive approach to legal education, including understanding the complexities of public policy and navigating environmental regulations. Our esteemed staff members are thought leaders in their fields, committed to inspiring and guiding students on their academic and professional paths.

Our department also fosters a thriving research community, where students work alongside faculty members on cutting-edge projects that address pressing legal and environmental issues. Students not only gain a deeper understanding of the law through these experiential learning opportunities, but they also develop the practical skills and professional networks required to make a significant impact in their future careers.

 

Possible Careers:

  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Public Interest Advocate
  • Government Policy Analyst
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Regulatory Compliance Officer
  • Sustainability Manager
  • Environmental Educator
  • Land Use Planner
  • Non-profit Organisation Director
  • Corporate Sustainability Officer
  • Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
  • Conservation Officer
  • Energy Policy Analyst
  • Climate Change Analyst
  • Water Resource Manager
  • Environmental Impact Assessor
  • Legal Researcher
  • Environmental Law Enforcement Officer 

TEACHING AND LEARNING PHILOSOPHY

Fostering Transformational Teaching and Learning in Social Justice, Accountability and Human Development within an African Context

Transformative Teaching and Learning
  • Decolonisation of legal education.
  • Promoting student-centered legal pedagogy.
  • Departing from legal formalism.
  • Instilling critical thinking and independent learning.
Accountability
  • Promoting accountable, ethical and responsive citizenship.
  • Instilling the culture of justification in public institutions.
  • Inculcating the culture of respect for the rule of law.
Modules Offered
  • Introduction to Public Law – CPEA001
  • Constitutional Law – CONA021
  • Administrative Law – CALC022
  • Constitutional and Statutory Interpretation – CPEA031
  • Research Methodology – CPLB022
  • International Law – CPUA041
  • Environmental & Mining Law -CPUA 042
Human Development
  • Promotion of human well-being.
  • Promoting sustainable use of natural resources and environment.
  • Excellence in servicing rural communities.
African Context
  • Recognising indigenous knowledge and practices.
  • Promoting the values of Ubuntu
Social Justice
  • Redressing the socio-economic injustices of the past.
  • Promoting the values of equality & human dignity.
  • Protecting and empowering vulnerable groups in society.
  • Promotion and protection of human rights.

Academic Staff

Prof. Hoolo NYANE

Prof. Hoolo NYANE

Head of Department (HOD)
015 268 4903
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Prof. Hoolo NYANE

Prof. Hoolo NYANE

Head of Department (HOD)

Qualifications

  • LLB (NUL) LLM (NWU) LLD (Unisa)

Contacts

Areas of interest

  • Constitutional law,
  • human rights law,
  • law of elections

Recent publications

  • Nyane, Hoolo., 2023. An Analysis of the African Union’s Constitutive Act: Has the Act ‘Constitutionalised’ the Union? Journal of African Union Studies, 12(2), pp.5-24.
  • ‘Nyane, Hoolo., 2023. The Transition and Formation of Government after Lesotho’s 2022 Elections. Journal of African Elections 22(1), pp. 33-58.
  • Mudau, Paul and ‘Nyane, Hoolo,. 2023.  Reasons for the Low Voter Turnout in Lesotho’s 2022 Elections. Journal of African Elections 22(1), pp. 33-58.
  • van Niekerk, G. 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.
  • ’Nyane, H. 2023. Emergency Powers and Human Rights Derogations under the Constitutions of Lesotho. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 26, pp 1 – 30.https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2023/v26i0a15732
Prof Mtendeweka MHANGO

Prof Mtendeweka MHANGO

Professor and Metropolitan Research Chair in Pension Law Studies
015 268 2608
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Prof Mtendeweka MHANGO

Prof Mtendeweka MHANGO

Professor and Metropolitan Research Chair in Pension Law Studies

Qualifications

  • BA; JD; LLM; LLD

Contacts

  • Tel: 015 268 2608
  • Email: mtendeweka.mhango@ul.ac.za

Areas of interest

  • pension and insurance law,
  • constitutional law,
  • administrative law

Recent publications

  • M Mhango, et al Pension Law and Death Benefits: Law, Practice and Policy Harmonisation in the Southern African Development Community (SADC)(March 2022) ISBN 978-48513-8914
  • M Mhango, “Death Benefit Provisions in the Pension Funds Act 5 of 2019 of
  • Lesotho: Contradictions or Deliberate Policy Choices?” 2023 De Jure Law Journal 405-435
  • Mhango and Mosito “The constitutional implications of pension deductions under the Pension Funds Act of Lesotho: A comparative analysis” 2023 27(1) Law, Democracy and Development 183.
Prof. Kolawole Olusola ODEKU

Prof. Kolawole Olusola ODEKU

Professor
015 268 2608
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Prof. Kolawole Olusola ODEKU

Prof. Kolawole Olusola ODEKU

Professor

Qualifications

  • LLB (UNILAG) LLM (UNILAG) MBA (LASU) LLD (UFH)

Contacts

  • Tel: 015 268
  • Email: Kolawole.olusola@ul.ac.za

Areas of interest

  • Human Rights,
  • Environmental law and
  • Development law

Recent publications

  • Kola O. Odeku and Katlego Mashiane (2023) . Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Regulations on the Homeless People in South Africa, African Journal of Development Studies,  pp 47-68.
  • Kola O. Odeku & Justice Kgaphola (2023). Combating Weaponisation of social media Fostering Hate Speech in South Africa, Journal of African Films and Diaspora Studies, 6(2): 59-74.
  • Kola O. Odeku and Teron Rikhotso (2023). African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): An Impetus for Intra-African Trade Integration, Journal of African Foreign Affairs, 10(1): 111-131.
  • Thupane Justice Kgoale Kola O. Odeku (2023). An analysis of legal accountability for artificial intelligence systems in the South African financial sector, De Jure, pp1912-205.
  • Mudzielwana Takalani and Kola O. Odeku (2023).  An Analysis of Post-1994 Transformative Policies Fostering the Right to Access to Adequate Housing in South Africa, Journal of Nation-building & Policy Studies, pp 65-81.
  • Mthombeni Vinseni & Kola O. Odeku (2023). Protecting Marital rights and Property Regimes of Women under Customary Marriages in South Africa, Gender & Behaviour, Vol.21 No. (2), June 2023 21868 – 21877
Prof. Duduzile MBAJIORGU

Prof. Duduzile MBAJIORGU

Associate Professor
015 268 3072
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Prof. Duduzile MBAJIORGU

Prof. Duduzile MBAJIORGU

Associate Professor

Qualifications

  • LLB (Cum laude), LLM (UL) , LLD NWU)

Contacts

  • Tel: 015 268 3072
  • Email:Grace.Mbajiorgu@ul.ac.za

Areas of interest

  • Constitutional law and Human rights law

Recent publications

  • Fighting Food insecurity, Hunger, and Poverty: The Content and Context of the Socio-Economic Right of Access to Sufficient Food in South Africa 2022 Obiter Vol 43(3) 467-488
  • Sustainable Livelihoods and the Right of Access to Food: Achieving the National Development Plan 2030 (NDP 2030) Goals on Poverty Eradication (2021 South African Public Law/SAPL Vol 36(1) (online, 28 pages. https://doi.org/10.25159/2522-6800/8044).
  • Human Development and Food Sovereignty: A Step Closer to Achieving Food Security in South Africa’s Rural Households Journal of Asian and African Studies, 1-21 (online first, 2019), DOI: 10.1177/0021909619875757.
  • A transformative social welfare model for South Africa: Lessons from the United States of America and Brazil 2019 Journal of Social Development in Africa Vol 34(2) 7-38.
Dr. Arda (Gerarda Hermina Andrea) SPIJKER

Dr. Arda (Gerarda Hermina Andrea) SPIJKER

Senior Lecturer
015 268 2902
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Dr. Arda (Gerarda Hermina Andrea) SPIJKER

Dr. Arda (Gerarda Hermina Andrea) SPIJKER

Senior Lecturer

Qualifications

  • Meestersgraad in the Rechten (University of Groningen, the Netherlands), LLD (UP)

Contacts

  • Tel: 015 268 2902
  • Email: arda.spijker@ul.ac.za

Areas of interest

  • Children’s Rights,
  • Human Rights,
  • Mediation & Family Law

Recent publications

  • Spijker A & De Jong M “Family Conferencing: Responsibility at Grassroots Level-A Comparative Analysis between the Netherlands and South Africa” PER/PELJ 2021 (24)
Adv Kgwara MANGENA

Adv Kgwara MANGENA

Lecturer
015 268 2766
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Adv Kgwara MANGENA

Adv Kgwara MANGENA

Lecturer

Qualifications

  • LLB (UL) LLM (TILBURG UNIVERSITY, NETHERLANDS)

Contacts

Areas of interest

  • Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, Labour Law, Intellectual Property Law
Mr T.M. OMAR

Mr T.M. OMAR

Lecturer
(015) 268 2648
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Mr T.M. OMAR

Mr T.M. OMAR

Lecturer

Qualifications

  • BA (UND) LLB (UW)

Contacts

Areas of interest

  • Administrative law, Constitutional and Statutory Interpretation