Professor Charles Maimela has been appointed as the Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning of the Faculty of Law at the University of Pretoria (UP) for the period 1 August 2020 to 30 April 2024. This makes Prof Maimela both the youngest, at 32 years old, and first black Deputy Dean of the Faculty since its establishment more than a century ago.

One of Prof Maimela’s passions is Medical Law, having written his doctoral dissertation on ‘Legal issues relating to the treatment of persons living with cancer'. His other main research interest is in the field of Customary Law, and he has published numerous articles and book chapters, as well as a monograph, Religion and Law in South Africa.

Prof Maimela has extensive experience serving on a range of committees, in particular the teaching and learning committees of three different universities – UNISA, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and UP – as well as the Faculty Research Committee and the Transformation Committee at UP.

Prof Maimela joined the Department of Private Law in 2016. Prior to joining UP, he held teaching positions at UNISA and UKZN. He currently coordinates the BA (Law) programme in the Faculty of Law. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of law journal De Jure.

The Faculty of Law welcomes Professor Maimela, and looks forward to working with him to remain the best faculty of law in Africa.

The Faculty of Law also wishes to express its appreciation to Professor Monray Botha, who has served as acting deputy dean since late last year. Prof Botha was instrumental in ensuring that the Faculty of Law embarked successfully on emergency remote teaching and learning.