The College of Law, in collaboration with the Unisa Foundation, Unisa Convocation and Alumni Relations, hosted its First Stakeholder Engagement on 21 April 2026 at the Unisa Muckleneuk Campus. 

The College of Law, in collaboration with the Unisa Foundation, Unisa Convocation and Alumni Relations, successfully hosted its first Stakeholder Engagement on 21 April 2026 at the Unisa Muckleneuk Campus. The theme of the event was "Collaborating for Impact: Shaping the Future of Law and Criminal Justice". The engagement brought together key stakeholders from academia, the judiciary, government, legal practice, the criminal justice system, civil society and students. The primary aim was to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration among these stakeholders. 

The event commenced with a keynote address by Prof A Mangu of the Institute for Democracy, Governance, Peace and Development in Africa on "The Future of Legal Research, Profession and Practice in Africa in the Age of Artificial Intelligence". Dr JB Skosana of the South African Law Reform Commission delivered the plenary address, presenting the Commission’s study on the review and amendment of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977. Mr F Mojapelo, representing the Unisa Foundation, the Unisa Convocation and Unisa Alumni and Relations, presented on the work of the portfolio, including the process for making donations to the university. 

Some of the attendees at the inaugural college of Law stakeholder engagement event

The event was well attended by a diverse range of stakeholders who pledged their support for the initiative. Attendees, including the Ministry of Justice of the State of Eritrea, Madam Justice MD Lenyai, a member of the Judiciary and the South African Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges; Prof W Domingo, Commissioner from the South African Law Reform Commission; Adv DJ Mahon, Chairperson of the Johannesburg Society of Advocates;  Adv S Lötter, Chairperson of the Pretoria Society of Advocates; Major General Matlou from the South African Police Service's Fraud and Corruption Department; Ms S Solomons, Director of  Military Prosecutions in the South African National Defence Force; Ms N Mia, National Director of  Lawyers for Human Rights; and Ms Rayneh Maswikaneng from Limpopo Antidrug Gangsterism and Crime. Students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels were represented. Ms B Phasha, Treasurer of the Regional SRC in Tshwane and ULSA Convener in Tshwane, represented undergraduate students, while Adv N Mnisi represented postgraduate students.

The Stakeholder Engagement marked a significant milestone in positioning the College of Law as a forward-looking and globally connected institution. Through strategic dialogue and collaboration, the College strengthened existing relationships while laying the foundation for transformative partnerships that will shape the future of legal education, research and professional development.

The engagement catalysed discussions on high-impact initiatives, including interdisciplinary and collaborative research projects, globally informed guest lecture series, student mentorship and leadership development programmes, and innovative knowledge-exchange platforms. These discussions also unlocked new pathways for internationalisation, cross-border academic collaboration and institutional partnerships aimed at expanding the College’s global footprint and influence.
Encouragingly, several stakeholders expressed a strong commitment to working closely with the College, signalling growing confidence in its vision and strategic direction. The College is enthusiastic about advancing these collaborations to drive innovation, enhance academic excellence and create sustainable opportunities that will empower future legal professionals in an evolving global landscape.

The College of Law extends its sincere gratitude to the Unisa Foundation, the Unisa Convocation and the Unisa Alumni Office for their generous financial support and unwavering commitment to the success of the Stakeholder Engagement. Their invaluable contribution played a pivotal role in enabling the seamless execution of the programme, facilitating high-level participation and creating a dynamic platform for strategic dialogue and collaboration.

The success of the event is further attributed to the dedication, professionalism, and meticulous planning of the organising team, whose commitment and resilience ensured the effective coordination of a complex and high-impact engagement. Managing the logistics and execution of an event of this magnitude required exceptional teamwork, strategic coordination and unwavering attention to detail.