The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria kicked off the 2025 academic year with a faculty-wide welcoming celebration on March 19, 2025, at the Sanlam Function Hall. This event encouraged staff members to reflect on the faculty's common goal, interact with colleagues from many departments, and reaffirm their commitment to academic achievement and collegiality.

Professor Charles Maimela, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, expressed confidence for a busy and intellectually stimulating year ahead. He highlighted the faculty's dedication to a human-centered approach, remarking with amusement that this value was not simply derived from the Vice-Chancellor's rhetoric but was deeply established in the Faculty of Law culture. Setting the tone for the afternoon's proceedings, he noted the need to cultivate a supportive and inclusive academic environment, ensuring that the faculty remains not merely a repository of legal information but also a place where all members feel welcome and respected.

Professor Elsabe Schoeman, Dean of the Faculty of Law, delivered her final Faculty Welcome address and reflected on the significance of the event, noting that, while the faculty does not often meet in such a setting, the event provided an important opportunity for collective engagement and reflection. She advocated the necessity of removing departmental barriers and creating an interdisciplinary collaborative culture. She urged faculty members to actively collaborate with peers outside of their respective academic specialities, advocating for a more integrated faculty environment.

In a moment of personal introspection, Prof. Schoeman recounted her tenure as Dean, acknowledging the catastrophic consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak early on. She relayed the challenges of managing remote work and the gradual return to campus, emphasising the value of in-person academic engagement and the sense of community that had been restored in recent years.

As she prepares for retirement, she emphasised the value of professional connections among faculty members, asserting that "We are not a family—we are too big for that—but we must aspire to be the best colleagues we can be." We work hard and spend an extensive amount of time in these corridors, teaching and conducting research. It is essential that we foster an environment where people feel supported and valued."

She further noted that collegiality is not only an abstract ideal but rather a necessary foundation for a thriving academic institution. Respect, trust, and mutual support, she contended, are essential for developing a faculty that is both academically excellent and professionally rewarding for all of its members.

A noteworthy highlight of the event was the acknowledgement of faculty members who had obtained academic breakthroughs, demonstrating their dedication to legal research and teaching. The following persons received recognition for their promotion:

• Dr. Yvonne Jooste, Department of Jurisprudence: Promoted from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer
• Dr. Princess Ncube, Department of Mercantile Law: Promoted from Lecturer to Senior Lecturer.
• Prof. Chijioke Okorie, Department of Private Law: Promoted from Senior Lecturer to Associate Professor

Prof. Schoeman emphasised the rigorous promotion process within the Faculty of Law, recognising their efforts. She was hopeful that their accomplishments would encourage other faculty members to aggressively pursue academic and professional advancement.

Prof Maimela reminded faculty members of the value of compassion and mutual respect; while striving for excellence is important, the supportive and collegial environment will ultimately determine faculty performance. He closed by wishing all faculty members the best of luck with their professional endeavours, as well as their personal ambitions and family lives.

The faculty has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a culture of academic excellence, cooperation, and collegial support, fostering a respectful and excellence-oriented environment for both students and faculty.