Rhodes University Faculty of Law

Congratulations to the LRC and to our part-time lecturer in Constitutional Law, Cecile van Schalkwyk! 👏🏽

What makes this victory particularly special is the way Cecile lives her practice — demonstrating to our students through her own work that the Constitution is not simply something we study in books, but a powerful instrument for justice and change.

What a privilege for our students to learn from someone who puts those constitutional principles into action. ⚖️❤️

Government admits unlawfully withholding billions from schools | News24 The Eastern Cape Department of Education admitted in the Eastern Cape High Court in Makhanda on Wednesday that it was unlawful and unconstitutional to withhold billions of rands from public schools.

Why does South Africa's Constitutional Court take a year or more to decide who it will even hear?

The Rhodes Law Faculty invites you to a forthright lecture by Visiting Professor Azhar Cachalia, retired judge and FUL Chairperson, on the crisis in the Court's functioning — and what could be done about it.

Well done to our All African mootists and huge thanks to Prof Laurence Juma for accompanying them 🙏🤩

Two students, Gomolemo Neo Mashangoane and Qaphela Jasper Snandile, represented the Rhodes Law Faculty at the 35th edition of the Christoff Hyens African Human Rights Moot Court competition held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, from July 26 to August 2, 2026. The competition brought together participants from 53 universities across the African continent to argue a hypothetical and complex human rights case before the African Human Rights Court. Although our students did not advance to the finals of the competition, they demonstrated impressive knowledge, skill, and commitment while competing against students from other universities. The participation provided an important opportunity for Neo and Jasper to test their abilities in a competitive moot environment while engaging with fellow law students from other African universities

A Productive Research Morning at the Highlander

Faculty of Law staff braved the cold and rainy weather on the Public Holiday, Monday, 10 August, for a productive research morning at The Highlander.

It was a chilly but cosy morning of reading, writing and focused research, with good conversation and collegiality along the way. We wrapped up the morning with a well-deserved lunch. A great way to spend a winter’s morning!

Thank you to Profs van Coller, Glover, Kruuse and Juma; Dr Katiyatiya; Mr Ncamane and Chenga; and Ms Roux for joining us, and to Prof van Coller for organising the morning.

Here’s to making time for research, even when the weather outside is doing its best to keep us indoors!

Four of our first-year students - Lulibo Dywili, Mikhulu Mfecane, Songo Mpange and Aphiwe Motsoahae - recently attended the 21st Kovsie Moot Court competition hosted by the University of the Free State, in Bloemfontein. The moot question concerned the legal responsibility of a step-parent for the maintenance of step-children under Rule 43 during divorce proceedings.

The Rhodes teams did very well and it was a great learning, and networking, experience for them. A special shoutout to Aphiwe who joined the team three days before the competition, and AJ September, who contributed to the team's heads of arguments. A huge thanks to Mr Shaun Bergover, Director of the Rhodes Law Clinic, who accompanied and supported the students.

An excellent initiative 🤩🙌

Rhodes University hosted a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind event on campus to honour top academic achievers, led by a true trailblazer, our university's very first Black woman DVC, Rhodes University - Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic & Student Affairs, Professor 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela.

This historic celebration highlights the transformative power of representation, visionary leadership, and academic excellence. By setting this precedent ahead of Women's Month, we not only celebrate top scholars, but we also honour the barrier-breakers paving the way for future generations of leaders.

Join us in celebrating this historic moment and the extraordinary minds shaping the future! 💜

🔗 https://www.ru.ac.za/latestnews/top_academic_achievers-1.html

What amazing work by our colleagues with their students in the Pharmacy Faculty ⭐️ Truly inspiring 🙌

The first and final LLB years attended the 2nd VC’s AI conversations recently. What a fabulous evening with great panelists.

The LLB Research Paper is a final‑year elective in the Rhodes LLB that challenges students to produce up to a 12 000‑word paper, engaging critically with legal issues and proposing meaningful law reform. The focus is firmly analytical rather than merely expository, and the process is rigorous – not for the faint‑hearted!

This week, two of our students presented their research‑in‑progress to Faculty members and fellow students in a highly engaging afternoon of discussion and debate. We congratulate them on their impressive work so far:

James Poolton Werth
Supervisor: Prof Glover
“The role of unequal bargaining power in the South African law of contract”

Siphamandla Nhlengethwa
Supervisor: Ms Driver
“Medicinal patents and the right of access to health care: the lingering effects of the delayed enactment of the new patents bill in South Africa”

Yesterday marked the second instalment of our first-year court visits. The Faculty is once again grateful to Judge Laing for taking the time to give our students an overview of Motion Court before proceedings began.

Students observed the delivery of judgments and the admission of a legal practitioner.

Our thanks also go to Prof Kruger for organising the visits, and to our master’s students, Mmathapelo Phalane and Duduzile Mathakathi, for accompanying and supporting our first-year students.