The Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria proudly hosted the 2025 edition of the Southern African Law Teachers Conference (SALTC) from 13–18 July under the resonant theme: “Reflections on Constitutional Supremacy in Southern Africa: Reviewing the Impact on Law Teaching, Learning, and Practice.” With over 300 delegates from across the region, including academics, judges, legal practitioners, students, and policymakers, this year’s gathering marked a pivotal moment in legal education and the future of law in Southern Africa.

This year’s conference was significant for its breadth and scope and marked UP’s first-time hosting SALTC in nearly two decades. Speaking at the opening ceremony on Sunday, 13 July, at the Javett Art Centre, Acting Dean of Law, Professor Charles Maimela, welcomed attendees with an impassioned call for greater cohesion between legal academia and practice. He emphasised the importance of bridging academia and practice, championing a collaborative rather than competitive model for legal education reform.

“We are greatly honoured to have you here today and this week as we host SALTC 2025.We are in the pursuit of revitalising as well as ensuring that legal teaching meets legal practice in order to emancipate humanity.” said Prof Maimela.

The institutional welcome was delivered by Prof Sunil Maharaj, Vice-Principal of Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Education at UP. Prof Howard Chitimira, President of the Society for Law Teachers of Southern Africa, formally opened the conference and set the tone for a critical week of intellectual engagement. The keynote address was delivered by Acting Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, who reflected on the evolving role of constitutionalism in law teaching and urged the legal academy to produce socially conscious graduates who are attuned to the lived realities of the communities they serve in. The evening concluded with a vibrant networking reception, offering delegates the opportunity to build personal and professional relationships, setting the tone for a week of rigorous engagement.

From its inception, SALTC 2025 was designed to be intellectually enriching and human-centred. Day two, Monday, 14 July, was dedicated to a robust Teaching, Learning, and Research Methodology Workshop hosted at UP’s Future Africa campus. The day commenced with a keynote address by Prof Themba Mosia, Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Pretoria, who spoke on the imperative of pedagogical transformation within constitutional democracies. Prof Puseletso Letete, Vice Dean of Teaching and Learning at the University of Johannesburg, followed with a session on reimagining the purpose of legal education. Prof Joel Modiri, Acting Deputy Dean at UP, delivered a provocative talk on “The Vocation of Legal Scholarship,” highlighting the ethical and philosophical obligations of the legal academic. Prof Steve Cornelius (UP) offered practical insights into academic career planning, Dr Faranaaz Veriava presented a session on Legal Research as Activism, while Prof Emile Zitzke presented on Transformative and Decolonial Methodologies in Legal Research and Pedagogy.  Dr Ndumiso Dladla presented a stimulating session on the Uses and Abuses of History in Legal and Constitutional Scholarship, and Prof Babatunde Fagbayibo (UP) brought an innovative interdisciplinary angle with his session on the use of music as a source of legal research and education. The day’s sessions emphasised that meaningful curriculum transformation must go hand-in-hand with reflective, engaged scholarship.

On Tuesday, 15 July, the conference was shifted to Kievits Kroon and brought together high-level insights from the judiciary and government. Judge President Dunstan Mlambo (Gauteng Division, High Court of South Africa) opened the day with a keynote address that highlighted the judiciary’s role in entrenching constitutional values through education. Adv. Doctor Mashabane, Director-General of the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, followed with a keynote address that reinforced the state's commitment to justice reform. The plenary session titled “The Future of Legal Academia in Southern Africa: Navigating Institutional Pressures, Research Agendas, and Societal Impact” featured an esteemed panel moderated by Prof Serges Djoyou Kamga (University of the Free State), with contributions from Prof Mpfari Budeli-Nemakonde (UNISA), Prof Engela Schlemmer (WITS), and Prof Itumeleng Tshoose (University of Limpopo). Their discussion highlights the need to align legal research and teaching with societal demands and the ideals of transformative constitutionalism. The rest of the day featured three vibrant rounds of parallel sessions each. The sessions throughout the week addressed a wide range of legal topics, including gender justice, artificial intelligence, environmental law, constitutional interpretation, and decolonial thought. Noteworthy themes included the following:

1. Artificial Intelligence and the Law: Discussions on AI’s implications for legal education, representation, ethics, and constitutional supremacy illustrated how digital disruption is transforming legal frameworks across the continent.
2. Family, Land, and Customary Law: Presenters explored legal reforms needed to protect vulnerable groups, modernise traditional law, and realise constitutional equality for women.
3. Access to Justice: Panels examined how law faculties can better serve community needs through civic engagement, policy advocacy and innovation in pedagogy.

A faculty dinner at the Premier Hotel Roodevalley concluded the day, featuring a keynote address by Retired Judge Bernard Ngoepe, former Judge President of the North Gauteng High Court.

On Wednesday, 16 July the focus turned to collaboration and well-being in academia. Prof Moses Phooko (UFH) opened the day, followed by a high-level panel titled “Building Bridges: Towards Meaningful and Sustainable Collaboration in Legal Education Across Southern African Universities.” Moderated by Prof Phooko, the panel featured Prof Juanita Pienaar (SU), Prof Deon Erasmus (NMU), Prof Donrich Thaldar (UKZN), Prof Lonias Ndlovu (UNIVEN), and Prof Mzukisi Njotini (UFH), who advocated for deepened partnerships to overcome challenges such as resource disparities and institutional isolation. The day also included a Wellness Session on mental health in academia, moderated by Prof Henk Kloppers (NWU) and featuring Prof Puseletso Letete (UJ), Adv Heidi Schoeman (UNIZULU), and Dr Beauty Vambe (UNISA). Together, they addressed the often-overlooked emotional toll of academic work and called for the establishment of supportive institutional cultures. The day concluded with additional paper presentations, the SALTC Council meeting, and high tea and book launch.

Thursday, 17 July, brought an institutional and practitioner-focused perspective. Prof Stefan van Eck (UP) welcomed attendees, followed by a keynote by Ms Queen Munyai, CEO of the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud, who reflected on the intersections of law and consumer protection. Adv Gerhard Cilliers SC, Chairperson of the Pretoria Bar Association, delivered a guest address reflecting on advocacy, professional ethics, and the evolving legal profession. The SALTC Annual General Meeting followed, alongside book launches hosted by Juta and presentations by publishers and legal chambers. The conference formally concluded with a Gala Dinner and Closing Ceremony at The Maslow, Time Square, providing delegates with the opportunity to celebrate a successful week of exchange, learning, and networking. 

The final day, Friday, 18 July was dedicated to excursions. The morning kicked off with a Champagne Brunch, where delegates savoured delicious food and a selection of drinks, including champagne, to celebrate the conference’s conclusion and foster continued networking among the participants. In the afternoon, delegates embarked on a game drive at Dinokeng Game Reserve. This excursion, selected based on delegate feedback, reflected the conference’s holistic ethos, seamlessly combining intellectual engagement with social connection and well-being of the participants.

SALTC 2025 proved to be much more than a typical academic conference. It served as a gathering of committed legal minds seeking to confront difficult truths, imagine equitable futures, and transform legal education across the region. As Prof Maimela eloquently concluded, “Let us return to our institutions not merely with answers, but with new questions and renewed commitment to advancing law in the service of humanity.”