UKZN Law Academics Shine at the 2025 Southern African Law Teachers Conference

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A distinguished delegation from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s School of Law made a significant impact at the 2025 Southern African Law Teachers Conference (SALTC), held at the University of Pretoria from 13 to 18 July.

Under the theme ‘Reflections on Constitutional Supremacy in Southern Africa: Reviewing the Impact on Law Teaching, Learning and Practice’, the conference brought together legal academics, researchers, and postgraduate students from across the region to explore the influence of constitutional principles and their influence on legal education and practice.

UKZN’s scholars played prominent roles throughout the event:

Professor Donrich Thaldar, a health law expert, participated in a panel discussion themed, ‘Building Bridges: Towards Meaningful and Sustainable Collaboration in Legal Education Across Southern African Universities’. He also presented a paper titled: ‘Convergence: Data/Property Law’, examining data governance and property rights in the digital era.

Lecturer Ms Nomfundo Mthembu, chaired a session on Governance and presented a research paper titled: ‘Constitutional Supremacy and Reproductive Rights: Academics’ Perspectives on Fertility Preservation Technologies’.

Ms Nicci Whitear-Nel, a Senior Lecturer in Law, discussed procedural reform in ‘Lessons from Section 158 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 for Video Conferencing in Civil Processes’.

Ms Roasia Hazarilall, a Doctoral Candidate, in her presentation challenged traditional parentage laws in: ‘From Donor to Dad? Rethinking Legal Parentage for Known Sperm Donors with Parental Intent’.

Law Lecturer Mr Siphesihle Mbatha, together with his third-year student, Mr Zabazendoda Biyela, explored constitutional issues in, ‘The Legal Implications of the Nazareth Baptist Church Marriages in the Constitutional Democracy’.

As per tradition, the conference took place at the same time as the meeting of the Law Deans of public universities in South Africa, which was attended by the Dean and Head of the School of Law, Professor Freddy Mnyongani. He commended the Law students and academics for representing UKZN on a national platform like the SALTC.

He said: “These contributions highlight UKZN’s commitment to academic excellence and addressing pressing legal and societal challenges in Southern Africa. The University’s active involvement in the SALTC reaffirmed its leadership in innovative and impactful legal scholarship.”

Words: NdabaOnline

Photograph: Supplied