Commercial property strategist, legal scholar and new University of Pretoria (UP) Master of Laws (LLM) graduate Johann Pretorius is hopeful that his master’s degree research could shape the future of retail leasing and data-driven decision-making.

His research tackled the complex intersection of data privacy, contract law and digital transformation as it applies to retail leasing – and he now looks forward to applying his knowledge in real-world lease negotiations.

Pretorius, who has lived in Johannesburg for most of his life, earned his LLM cum laude (with distinction) while leading asset management efforts at one of South Africa’s foremost real estate investment funds. "In asset management, you quickly realise how pivotal lease contracts are to everything: tenant stability, income flow, valuation…," Pretorius explains. "However, as omnichannel retailing [shopping via various channels, such as in-store or online] grows, the traditional lease makes less sense."

His dissertation explored whether landlords and tenants could share omnichannel sales data legally and ethically. "Drawing on South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, I developed a ‘privacy-conscious collaboration’ model that uses anonymised, de-identified data to enable trust-based performance metrics in lease agreements… It’s not just about compliance; it’s about unlocking value through lawful data exchange."

He says his LLM research has changed the way he approaches leases. "I now understand them as income mechanisms and living instruments shaped by law, risk, and innovation." 

Road to LLM

Pretorius completed a BCom and LLB at Rand Afrikaans University (now the University of Johannesburg) in 1992. In 2017, he enrolled for an MSc in Real Estate at UP, and graduated in 2019. During his MSc he became interested in data privacy and, in 2020, he enrolled for an LLM by dissertation. "I decided to study my LLM at UP because of the quality of interactions I had with the members of the Law Faculty.”

His LLM was fully online and a “very positive” experience – but of course was not without its hardships. "My main challenge was juggling my full-time work and part-time studies," Pretorius recalls. His "mental bandwidth" also took strain. "On any given day, I’d be shifting from asset strategy meetings to legal analysis and back again." 

He found that aligning his research with his work was key to success. "I chose research questions that directly addressed what I was dealing with in my job. My MSc looked at occupancy cost ratios and lease flexibility. My LLM tackled the legal architecture for data-driven leases. My PhD studies now pull it all together." 

A very satisfying journey

Receiving his LLM degree holds great personal significance. "I was enrolled for an LLM in 1993, which I had to suspend when my daughter was born [while] I was completing my articles as a candidate attorney," he said. "Completing my LLM was an outstanding item I still wanted to achieve, and it is now attained, so on a personal level it is very satisfying."

He says credit for their unwavering support must go to his wife, Christel, and his daughter, Mariëtte, who is also a UP graduate. "She completed her PhD in 2020 at UP, so I guess she is also happy that I managed to be exposed to UP's postgraduate excellence.”

As for what’s next, he is currently preparing his PhD research proposal. 

He has valuable advice for others considering postgraduate study: "Start with the question you’re trying to answer in your work," he says. "If your studies are tied to your mission, they’ll energise you. And don’t wait for permission. If you're seeing a problem no one else is solving, you’re probably the right person to solve it." 

For now, he’s focused on the future and grateful for the support and achievements so far. "My academic work has given me the tools to lead, not just adapt," he says. "That’s the real reward."