Dr Phemelo Magau, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mercantile Law, has been honoured with the Exceptional Young Researcher Award at the University of Pretoria (UP) 2025 Academic Achievers Awards, placing him among the youngest recipients of this prestigious honour.

Exceptionalism is nothing new to Dr Magau. At just 25, he completed his doctoral degree in a remarkable two years, making him one of the youngest legal scholars in South Africa ever to obtain a doctorate at that age. Today, at only 29, he continues to redefine excellence in legal academia.

Since joining the Faculty of Law in 2023, Dr Magau has quickly established himself as a leading emerging scholar. His research in financial inclusion, financial education and consumer protection engages directly with some of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing South Africa. As digital transformation reshapes the financial sector, his work contributes to strengthening legal frameworks that safeguard consumers and promote equitable access to financial services.

During his time at the University, Dr Magau’s research has matured into a body of work that is not only academically relevant but also meaningfully engaged with real-world impact. His collaborations with regulatory bodies and consumer protection entities have enabled his scholarship to influence national policy conversations and strengthen institutional responses to financial vulnerability. He credits UP for providing an environment that values innovation, scholarly growth and impactful knowledge production. 

With a research agenda grounded in social impact, Dr Magau continues to encourage young academics to pursue scholarship that is both globally competitive and locally meaningful. “The primary focus should be on changing lives through what we write as legal scholars. Recognition will follow, but impact should always come first,” he advises. 

Beyond his research achievements, Dr Magau has made a significant contribution to postgraduate supervision. He has successfully supervised and co-supervised fourteen postgraduate students, including three doctoral and eleven master’s candidates. Under his guidance, students undertake research that addresses socio-economic challenges and contributes to sustainable solutions in the legal and corporate sectors. “It is rewarding to see my students apply the skills I taught them in their careers. Some now work for major corporations where they use the principles developed during their supervision journey,” he notes. 

Reflecting on the significance of the award, Dr Magau describes it as both humbling and affirming: “This award is a remarkable and prestigious achievement for me. Receiving it at UP, given the university’s standards for excellence, is humbling. It affirms that I am doing something worthy of recognition as an emerging scholar.” 

This year’s Academic Achievers Awards also highlight the Faculty of Law’s success in developing outstanding young academic talent. With Dr Magau being the youngest awardee in this category across the entire university, this milestone reflects the Faculty’s longstanding commitment to nurturing high-performing emerging scholars. As he notes, “Being the youngest recipient of the award at 29 is something the Faculty should be proud of. It reflects the strength of our young scholars and the environment that allows them to thrive.” 

Looking ahead, Dr Magau is working on several projects related to sustainability in consumer protection and financial law. These initiatives align closely with UP’s vision for cultivating a research-intensive environment and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. His commitment to empowering consumers and strengthening financial literacy continues to drive his academic mission. 

The Faculty of Law proudly congratulates Dr Magau on this extraordinary achievement. His journey is a powerful example of academic excellence, transformative research and meaningful leadership, and it continues to inspire the next generation of scholars at UP and beyond.