The University of Pretoria, Faculty of Law, in partnership with the Society of Law Teachers of Southern Africa (SLTSA), held the first Southern African Law Teachers' Colloquium (SALTC) on September 4th and 5th, 2024. The purpose of the event was to provide a platform for legal education curriculum transformation experts, professionals, and stakeholders to share ideas and insights. At the UP Hatfield Campus colloquium, scholars discussed how legal education would evolve in the future, how curricula could be changed, and how decolonization, social justice, and developments in technology intersect with the law.

Prof. Elsabe Schoeman, Dean of the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Law, gave the opening remarks at the opening ceremony that took place on Wednesday, September 4th, the first day of the colloquium. Professor Bradley Slade, Deputy President of the Society for Law Teachers of Southern Africa, then gave some background on the colloquium and stressed the need for collaboration to improve legal education in Southern Africa. Afterwards, delivering a message that welcomed all delegates, Prof. Themba Mosia, UPs Interim Vice-Chancellor and Principal highlighted the University of Pretoria's dedication to promoting innovation and advancing the higher education sector and legal scholarship. "I urge all of you to engage actively, to contribute your insights, and to challenge beliefs," he proclaimed. Use this platform to participate in meaningful dialogue, learn from each other, and establish a common aim for the advancement of future legal research. 

Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of legal education in influencing South African society's future. She further, advocated for an integrative approach to legal pedagogy that includes social justice and community collaborations, challenging law professors to rethink how the law is taught and applied. Dr. Gondwe pointed out in her address that South African universities are progressively becoming more focused on curriculum change in legal education, with many institutions attempting to strike a balance between making their curricula relevant to specific employment sectors and preserving the discipline's integrity. She further stated, "In today's digital environment, I believe this colloquium is a relevant solution to how digital legal education can be leveraged to improve the experiences of those who interact with our legal system."

Dr Gondwe, noted that academic conferences play an important role in rethinking curriculum design and legal pedagogy to improve practical legal education. "We are here to celebrate scholarship and the pursuit of academic excellence in the legal education profession," commented the Deputy Minister of Higher Education. In her final remarks, she expressed optimism that the crucial debates during the colloquium will pave the road for genuine curriculum improvement. "I am also confident," she told me, "that the transformation processes initiated here will not only produce employable professionals but also empower graduates to create employment opportunities for themselves and others."

After the welcome session, delegates participated in a panel discussion led by Prof Zozo Dyani-Mhango of the University of Pretoria. The panel, which comprised specialists from several South African institutions, discussed the issue "Reconceptualising Legal Pedagogy: Integrating Social Justice, Community Partnership, and Experiential Learning." Key presenters, including Prof Gerda van Niekerk from the University of Limpopo and Dr Molefhi Phorego from Nelson Mandela University, highlighted the importance of legal curriculum that are more inclusive and sensitive to the country's socio-political realities.

The final session of the opening day, focused on the current debate about decolonisation and change in legal education, with a panel discussion conducted by Prof Joel Modiri of the University of Pretoria. The discussions focused on solutions for negotiating the problems of decolonising legal education, as well as the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Professor Roxan Laubscher of the University of Johannesburg provided fascinating thoughts on how legal education might contribute to larger societal reform. The first day finished with a lively cocktail party titled "Campus Palette: Exploring the Vibrant World of University-Inspired Colours," during which attendees engaged in informal networking.

The final day started with a keynote lecture by Judge Elmarie Van der Schyff, Judge of the High Court of South Africa's Gauteng Division, and Advocate Greta Engelbrecht, Senior Counsel at Group One Advocates. Judge Van der Schyff's views regarding "Legal Pedagogy and Curriculum Transformation: What Does the Future Hold and How Will the Evolving Relationship BetweenAcademia and Legal Practice Shape It?" The presentation focused on the future of legal education and how changes in academics and legal practice will affect curricular transformation in law schools. Advocate Greta Engelbrecht emphasized the changing expectations of the legal profession and how legal education must adapt to them.

A notable highlight was the book launch in the Law Building, which featured the book "Harnessing Education (Teaching and Learning) in the Fourth Industrial Revolution," edited by Prof M Njotini and Prof Charles Maimela. The book explores how digital technologies reshape the future of education and scholarship to enable a transformed, inclusive curriculum that meets society's changing needs.

The second day featured a series of parallel sessions, allowing attendees to discuss a variety of issues of interest. One session, led by Prof Steve Cornelius from the University of Pretoria, focused on "Advancing legal education through technological innovation". Prof Puseletso Letete of the University of Johannesburg, Mr. Warren Bowles of the Independent Institute of Education, and Dr. Ashley Nyaude discussed their experiences incorporating technology into legal curricula and collaborative educational models. The final panel discussion was conducted by Prof Phumudzo Munyai, honing in on "Fostering Critical Consciousness and Ethical Integrity in Legal Education." This session focused on the role of power dynamics in creating legal education and discussed techniques for instilling ethical values in law students.

Prof. Elsabe Schoeman and Prof. Charles Maimela marked the end of the colloquium with insightful reflections and concluding remarks, highlighting significant lessons from the event and expressing heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their valuable contributions. Prof. Schoeman thanked Prof. Maimela and Prof. Bradley Slade, as well as the society's attending officials. She also thanked the heads of departments and workers at UP Law for their outstanding contributions. The panelists and participants from all sessions were sincerely thanked for their diligent preparation and efforts. The Dean also thanked the personnel in the Dean's office for their efforts, with a specific mention of the student assistants, whose help was vital.

In keeping with UP host tradition, the final social event, an art tour at The Javett Art Centre titled "Wear Your Culture: Celebrating Heritage Through Style," provided a creative and relaxing venue for guests to network and enjoy their Southern African history. Overall, the SALTC 2024 was a huge success, sparking lively discussions about legal pedagogy and establishing Southern Africa as a leader in transformative legal education.