SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability

🎙️ New CLESTalk Episode Alert!

Tune in for episode 15 of CLESTalk for a topical conversation between Ms Ledile Sekwakwa and Mr Burgert Gildenhuys, Director of BC Gildenhuys and Associates, as they discuss: "The evolution of local government in South Africa: current challenges and review of the White Paper on Local Government".

Click the link to gain insights on how local government in South Africa is evolving: https://youtu.be/oWmkXE74hLI.

CLESTalk: Law for Sustainable Cities | Episode 15 Welcome to CLESTalk: Law for Sustainable Cities, a podcast focused ...

6th Annual Prestige Lecture | Promoting Environmental Justice.

On 13 May 2026, SARChI CLES hosted Danjelle Midgley from the Centre for Environmental Rights on: “Promoting Environmental Justice: Legal Advocacy and the Role of Lawyers Beyond the Courtroom.”

Key takeaway: Lawyers can advance environmental justice beyond litigation. Through advocacy, community engagement, education, and communication. “Advocacy is the art of persuasion through communication.” - Danjelle Midgley.

Read more on: https://news.nwu.ac.za/fighting-environmental-justice-beyond-courtroom

Faculty of Law Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability # NWU - North-West University # NWU - North-West University

We continue our journey by introducing Hamza Okene Abdulazeez (LLB, LL.M, PhD, BL), a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (SARChI CLES).

His research focuses on constitutionalism, health rights, and local government law. He has published peer-reviewed articles in reputable outlets on public law, with a keen interest in constitutional law, constitutionalism, and health rights. Having taught local government law for about 5 years, he has redirected his research focus to local government and environmental sustainability.

The motto guides him: "Hate nothing but make choice."

We are pleased to have Hamza Okene Abdulazeez on the SARChI CLES team.

Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability # NWU - North-West University # NWU Faculty of Law # SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability #

Congratulations to Dr. Nonhlanhla Ngcobo and Ms Thato Mphahlele!

The NWU Faculty of Law proudly congratulates Dr. Nonhlanhla Ngcobo, CLES Fellow, and Ms Thato Mphahlele, CLES LLD Researcher, on being selected as recipients of the prestigious World Congress of Constitutional Law 2026 Scholarship Programme.

This recognition reflects the merit of their applications and the valuable contributions they will make to global constitutional law scholarship and academic exchange.

We wish them every success as they prepare to represent NWU at this significant global academic gathering in Bogotá, Colombia.

Congratulations, Dr. Nonhlanhla Ngcobo and Ms Thato Mphahlele 👏

# SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability # NWU Faculty of Law Research Unit NWU Faculty of Law Faculty of Law Research Unit: Law, Justice and Sustainability -West University / Noordwes-Universiteit

📢 The latest edition of the CLES inPress Newsletter (Issue 21 – May 2026) is now available!
The newsletter highlights recent research outputs, academic engagements, publications, conferences, and activities taking place within the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) at the Faculty of Law, North-West University.

We invite everyone to explore the newest edition and stay updated on the Chair’s ongoing work.

You can also access previous editions of the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-qUAdPn
Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability Faculty of Law Research Unit # Faculty of Law - North-West University

Call for Abstracts: 7th Annual National CLES Postgraduate Student Conference.

The South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) at the North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit invites postgraduate students from universities across South Africa and diverse disciplines to submit abstracts for the 7th Annual National CLES Postgraduate Student Conference.

Theme:
"Reimagining solutions to the persisting developmental challenges confronting municipalities 26 years into the new democratic era."

Key details:
Location: NWU Potchefstroom
Format: Hybrid (Microsoft Teams and in-person)
Conference Dates: 10–11 September 2026

Key dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: 20 July 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 30 July 2026
Registration Deadline: 10 August 2026

How to submit:
Email an abstract of no more than 300 words to Mr Mpho Moniatse at [email protected].

See the attached call for abstracts for full details.

Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability Faculty of Law Research Unit Faculty of Law # NWU - North-West University #

Reminder: Call for NRF Bursary Applications for 2027 Intake – LLM & PhD/LLD Students, SARChI CLES, NWU

The South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (SARChI CLES) is calling for full-time LLM and PhD/LLD students for the 2027 intake, with NRF bursary funding available.

We’ve received numerous applications for doctoral studies, but fewer for master’s research. SARChI CLES is especially looking to recruit excellent students to join as master’s students next year, and final-year LLB candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Submit your application by email to Dr Lourens Erasmus at [email protected] by Monday, 18 May 2026, at the latest.

See the attached call for applications for the full list of required documents and details on eligibility and funding.

CLES -West University / Noordwes-Universiteit National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) # NWU Faculty of Law Research Unit Faculty of Law SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability

We continue our journey by introducing Sandile Mbizeni (LLB, NWU), LLM researcher at the Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES).

His research lies at the intersection of environmental law and local government, with a particular emphasis on the governance of sewage and wastewater management in South Africa. Sandile Mbizeni's research interrogates the legal mechanisms available to communities to enforce compliance with sewage and wastewater management standards, advancing the objectives of community justice, environmental sustainability, and accountable urban governance. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring has significantly shaped his intellectual perspective, reinforcing the role of law in protecting communities from environmental harm. Sandile Mbizeni is guided by the motto: "It starts from grass to grace."

We are pleased to have Sandile Mbizeni on the SARChI CLES team.

# Faculty of Law Research Unit Mbizeni # SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability # NWU - North-West University # NWU Faculty of Law Research Unit

📢 CALL FOR NRF BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR 2027

The NRF SARChI Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) at the North-West University Faculty of Law invites applications from prospective full-time LLM and PhD/LLD students for the 2027 academic year.

This is an exciting opportunity for students interested in:
⚖️ Law
🌍 Environmental Sustainability
🏙️ Urban Development

Potential funding opportunities may exceed:
• R282 700 for LLM students
• R295 410 for PhD students

📅 Closing date: Monday, 18 May 2026

📧 Applications must be submitted to:
[email protected]

Interested applicants are encouraged to consult the attached call document for detailed application requirements, eligibility criteria, and funding information.

Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability - North-West University # NWU Faculty of Law # NWU Faculty of Law Research Unit # National Research Foundation

Reminder: Register for the 6th Annual Prestige Lecture | Promoting Environmental Justice
SARChI CLES warmly invites you to join the 6th Annual Prestige Lecture, presented by Danjelle Midgley from the Centre for Environmental Rights.
The lecture will explore:
“Promoting Environmental Justice: Legal Advocacy and the Role of Lawyers Beyond the Courtroom.”
📅 13 May 2026
🕑 14:00
📍 Senate Hall, Building F1, Potchefstroom Campus
📒 Register here: https://lnkd.in/d-C7ZSgP
📧 Enquiries: Viandrie Robertson – [email protected]

6th Annual Prestige Lecture | Promoting Environmental Justice

North-West University, in collaboration with the Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) and the National Research Foundation (NRF), invites you to attend the 6th Annual Prestige Lecture.

This year’s lecture will be presented by Danjelle Midgley on the topic:
“Promoting Environmental Justice: Legal Advocacy and the Role of Lawyers Beyond the Courtroom.”

The lecture will explore how legal practitioners can advance environmental justice not only through litigation, but also through broader forms of advocacy and engagement.

📅 Date:13 May
🕑 Time: 14:00
📍 Venue: Senate Hall, Building F1, Potchefstroom Campus

🔗 Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYmH2DYB-svF4k9XElz4h87JRWZZNdqb2VKafX56vlGvWBkg/viewform
📧 Enquiries: Viandrie Robertson – [email protected]

Please see the attached invitation for further details.
# Faculty of Law Research Unit Faculty of Law Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability Faculty of Law - North-West University