In a landmark step toward deepening legal education, community engagement, and access to justice, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman (CGSO). The signing ceremony took place on 11 June 2025, marking the formalisation of a collaboration that has been evolving since 2022.
This partnership was initiated by Prof Howard Chitimira, research Professor and director: Research Unit for Law, Justice and Sustainability, who has worked closely with the CGSO over the past few years to develop opportunities that benefit students, staff, and communities.
“This partnership with the CGSO is opening up opportunities for students and staff to go into consumer or financial education,” said Prof Chitimira. “We are also looking at how it can support community engagement and broaden our research capacity.”
Prof Chitimira explained that the faculty is exploring the establishment of satellite offices in communities such as Mahikeng, Potchefstroom, or Vanderbijlpark. These offices would serve as key contact points where students assist community members with consumer-related complaints and awareness—practical work that complements academic training and contributes to public empowerment.
“This collaboration represents a meeting of minds—practitioners from the CGSO and legal academics from the NWU—working together to benefit the broader society,” he added. “It’s about taking what we do in classrooms and using it to make a tangible difference.”
The MoU opens the door to internship opportunities and structured exposure to real-world legal work, with students participating both at CGSO offices and via NWU’s Law Clinic.
Prof Chitimira reflected on how the partnership took shape: “The CGSO began attending conferences I organised in 2022, and they were inspired by our work with young people. We’ve now formalised that relationship in a way that benefits everyone involved.”
Prof Linda du Plessis, deputy vice-chancellor for teaching and learning, formally opened the proceedings with her introductory remarks and concluded the event by delivering the vote of thanks.
“It is both an honour and a privilege to welcome you all today to this significant occasion — the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the North-West University’s Faculty of Law and the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud,” she said.
“This partnership represents more than just a formal agreement between two institutions — it marks the beginning of a meaningful collaboration rooted in shared values, a commitment to community empowerment, and the pursuit of justice and fairness for all consumers, particularly the most vulnerable among us.”
Prof du Plessis highlighted the importance of practical legal learning, community outreach, and consumer education in South Africa’s evolving legal landscape. She also noted the uniqueness of the partnership: “This is a public partnership in the truest sense — no financial exchange, just mutual commitment to the greater good. It is our hope that this partnership will serve as a model of cooperation between institutions who share the goal of transformation, empowerment, and access to justice.”
Ms Queen Munyani, CEO of the CGSO, gave a detailed overview of the organisation’s role in consumer protection and welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with a university known for its academic excellence and social impact.
“We are eager to work with institutions of higher learning, because education is key to empowering consumers,” she said. “It is important for us to go into communities and ensure that people know their rights and how to enforce them.”
Acting executive dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof Henk Kloppers, also addressed attendees, offering a brief overview of the faculty’s recent achievements. He highlighted the faculty’s continued commitment to excellence and innovation.
“This signing is another milestone for the Faculty of Law,” he said. “We remain committed to making a positive impact through research, teaching, and engagement.”
