A change in leadership has set a new course for one of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) most strategically positioned research chairs. The National Research Foundation (NRF) has officially upgraded the South African Research Chair in Cities, Law and Environmental Sustainability (CLES) to a Tier 1 position and appointed a new chairholder, Prof Oliver Fuo.

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles have become essential to modern business operations, marking a significant shift in the corporate responsibility landscape. In South Africa, this transition brings with it unique challenges and opportunities, particularly for corporations that are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

Prof Neels Kilian from the Finance, Trade and Innovation (FTI) research group at the Faculty of Law has dedicated his work to understanding and addressing the legal challenges surrounding the application of ESG principles.

A final-year law student at North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus has been chosen for the 2025 Siyaphumelela Scholars programme, a national initiative focused on student success and leadership in higher education.

Musa Bizani and four other students from the University of Cape Town, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, University of the Witwatersrand and University of the Western Cape will attend the Siyaphumelela Conference at the Indaba Hotel and Conference Centre in Fourways, Johannesburg, from 8 to 11 July 2025.

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.

Her transformative leadership through her editorship of the Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal stands as a beacon of achievement in the vision and mission of the North-West University (NWU) to be a pre-eminent university in Africa. Her achievements in legal academia and journal development have earned Prof Christa Rautenbach the NWU Chancellor’s Medal.

She received this honour during a graduation ceremony on 6 June. The Chancellor’s Medal is awarded to people who show exceptional merit or have made significant contributions to society.

Sitting on a R49 billion environmental liability tied to 6 100 legacy mines, South Africa needs to consider a dedicated rehabilitation fund supported by mandatory levies on mining companies to meet its mine rehabilitation targets.

Speaking during a public lecture hosted by the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law, Dr Fredua Agyemang pointed to Western Australia’s model, backed by industry levies and steady investment returns, as a possible solution to unlock consistent rehabilitation funding.

Is the Constitutional Court within its powers when it rules against decisions made in Parliament? Or is it stepping across the line between separate branches of government?

Setting out to answer these questions, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law is set to host a public lecture, “The functions of an apex court: Who empowered 11 unelected judges to strike down laws of a democratically elected parliament?” on Wednesday, 2 April 2025.

Companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) must navigate evolving sustainability reporting requirements to ensure compliance, credibility and investor confidence.

Prof Neels Kilian of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Faculty of Law outlined the complexities of this shift in his inaugural lecture – titled “The legal background to integrated financial reporting” – on 5 March 2025 at the Potchefstroom Campus.

“The JSE has taken steps to standardise sustainability reporting,” Prof Kilian said. “But ensuring consistent compliance remains a challenge.”

“Will you be a benchwarmer, enforcing the status quo, or will you be part of the legal revolution?” This is North-West University (NWU) law professor Boitumelo Mmusinyane’s challenge to students as he advocates for their greater involvement in efforts to decolonise South Africa's legal system.

Prof Mmusinyane highlights the ongoing challenge of integrating indigenous knowledge into the country's Eurocentric legal framework, a legacy of colonisation and apartheid that continues to marginalise African governance traditions.

The goal of achieving land degradation neutrality is still achievable, especially with the recent appointment of Prof Klaus Kellner from the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU) to serve on the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) National Working Group.