Unisa reflects on the challenges of Africa in the 21^st century

This year marks 31 years of democracy, and to celebrate this milestone, Unisa’s College of Law (CLAW) held its 2025 Annual Law Conference from 25 to 27 March 2025 under the theme "New Winds of Change in Africa: Reflecting on the Challenges of Africa in the 21^st Century and 30 Years of the Post-1994 Democratic Dispensation in South Africa".

The conference addressed and reflected on the progress made since the inception of democracy in 1994, relating to various spheres, including law, politics, criminal justice, sociology, development studies, international relations, labour relations, history, heritage, indigenous knowledge systems, economics, arts and culture, environmental sciences, food security, social security, peace/conflict studies, urban and regional planning, and key technological advancements as it relates to law.

(From left) Adv Bart Ford, Chairperson of South African Bar Association , Prof Olaotse John Kole, Deputy Executive Dean: CLAW, Prof Mpfari Budeli-Nemakonde, Executive Dean: CLAW, Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, former Chief Justice of Nigeria and keynote speaker, Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Adv Motebang Ramaili SC, South African Bar Association, Prof Tukishi Manamela, CLAW, Adv Annastacia Mthembu, CLAW

The Annual Law Conference is a multi-disciplinary project of the university intended to create and provide a convenient platform for robust intellectual engagement on critical and topical issues on law, society and development, especially on the African continent. It is essentially a conducive space for academics, thought leaders, activists and practitioners from different sectors of society to come together and share their research, experiences and practices.

Scholars from various disciplines, thought leaders, legal practitioners, politicians, scientists, economists, public servants, civic movements, trade unions, students, traditional leaders, and spiritual leaders gathered at Unisa to reflect on the challenges that are facing the African continent, and to map the way forward on the interventions that can assist in influencing government policy, public discourse, law reforms, and curriculum development.

Honest reflections on the past

Opening the conference and welcoming delegates, Professor Mpfari Budeli-Nemakonde, Executive Dean: CLAW, highlighted that "the theme of the conference is not only timely but necessary because Africa, a continent with immense diversity and a rich history, stands at a crossroads as it faces complex challenges of the 21^st century". Budeli-Nemakonde further said that "it is time to navigate the evolving landscape of global geopolitics, economic shifts, technological advancements, environmental crises, and, most importantly, address the need for inclusive growth and social transformation. Let us reflect on our past with honesty, celebrate our achievements with humility and confront our challenges with unwavering determination. The winds of change are indeed upon us, and it is our collective responsibility to harness them for the betterment of our continent and our nation.”

Prof Mpfari Budeli-Nemakonde, Executive Dean: CLAW

She concluded by saying that with its growing population, vast natural resources, and emerging economic powers, Africa also grapples with issues of governance, political stability, rule of law, economic development, unemployment, poverty, unequal access to education, and the effects of climate change.

An opportune time to reflect

In her address to the conference, Unisa's Principal and Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Puleng LenkaBula, said: "The College of Law’s Annual Law Conference marks a significant milestone for the country following the celebration of 30 years of democracy in 2024". She further said that this is an opportune time to reflect as we consider the journey the country has travelled since the first inclusive and democratic elections in 1994, and that "the first democratic elections brought hope and promise of freedom, a stark contrast to the oppressive colonial and apartheid regimes that preceded them".

Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor

The VC further reflected on the strides that Unisa is making in the areas of qualification offerings, teaching and learning, research, innovation, commercialisation, and engaged scholarship. She reasoned that this is important to ensure that the university responds to the needs of the country and the world, and hence Unisa has identified ten catalytic niche areas.

African perspective

The Honourable Justice Walter SN Onnoghen, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, delivered the keynote address in which he focused on the comparative progress that South Africa, Nigeria and other African countries have made after independence. He argued that reflecting on the challenges of Africa in the 21^st century and 30 years of democracy in South Africa, the journey to democratic consolidation is complex and multifaceted. He further stated that both Nigeria and South Africa provide examples of the diverse paths towards democracy within the African continent, emphasising the importance of judicial independence and the rule of law in safeguarding democratic values.

The Honourable Justice Walter SN Onnoghen, former Chief Justice of Nigeria

Expanding on the roles and responsibilities of governments, Onnoghen said that governments must be committed to upholding the rule of law and keeping to the tenets of democracy. He further highlighted the importance of the role and resilience of civil society, active citizenship engagement, and participation in choosing and holding leaders accountable.

He concluded by saying that the wind of change experienced in South Africa in the last 30 years, despite challenges, sets an example for other democracies in Africa.

Battle of ideas

The battle of ideas continued in the breakaway sessions where issues such as the land question, artificial intelligence, cyber security, cyber law, climate change, transformative constitutionalism, social cohesion, and other pertinent advancements that affect South Africa and Africa as a whole were discussed. The conference received 46 abstracts that were presented in the breakaway sessions, of which 18 were presented by Unisa students.

Esteemed guest speakers

Notable guest speakers and presenters at the conference included former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale, National Commissioner: Department of Correctional Services, Dennis Dlomo, former ambassador and former Acting Director-General: State Security Agency.

Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke

The conference was also graced by the presence of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who is the former chairperson of the African Union Commission. She attended the conference as a delegate and participated in the plenary sessions.

* By Ngwako Mokgotho, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Law