About SALDA
As the legal and social landscape of South Africa continues to evolve, so too must the institutions that prepare the next generation of legal professionals. SALDA exists to support this progression — by uniting law deans across the country in a shared mission to lead, transform, and collaborate. What follows is an overview of our vision, mission, leadership, and the work we do to advance legal education nationwide.
Who we are
The South African Law Dean’s Association (SALDA) is a national body that brings together heads for the time being of law faculties and law schools at every public university in the Republic of South Africa. Our primary purpose is to promote excellence in legal education, foster collaboration among institutions, and provide a unified voice on issues that affect the development of the legal academy.
Founded in response to the evolving landscape of higher education and legal practice in South Africa, SALDA is committed to supporting the transformation of the legal education sector in ways that reflect the country’s constitutional values, socio-economic realities, and global connections.
Our Vision
To be a driving force in shaping a legal education system that is inclusive, innovative, and responsive to the needs of South African society and the legal profession.
Meet the Team
SALDA Executive Committee 2025
Prof Mzukisi Njotini
President:
South African Law Deans’ Association
Dean:
Faculty of Law, University of Fort Hare
Council Member:
South Africa Judicial Education Institute (SAJEI)
Member:
South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS)
Member:
ICT Committee of the Council (ICToC) of the Council on Higher Education
+27 43 704 7531
mnjotini@ufh.ac.za
Prof Jacques de Ville
Deputy President:
South African Law Deans’ Association
Dean:
Faculty of Law, University of the Western Cape
+27 21 959 3757
jdeville@uwc.ac.za
Prof Engela C Schlemmer
Honorary Secretary:
South African Law Deans’ Association
Head:
School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand
+27 11 717 8412
EngelaC.Schlemmer@wits.ac.za
Our Mission
- Provide a voluntary association through which the needs, views and concerns of its members can be expressed as necessary or desirable from time to time;
- Facilitate the holding of regular meetings of its members at least twice each year, and if necessary as a matter of urgency at other times, at which its members can discuss matters of common interest to the management and execution of teaching and research in law at South Africa’s universities;
- Express the views of its members, after due consultation, when requested or at its own initiative, on matters of concern to legal education at universities in South Africa and related matters;
- Where appropriate, nominate or elect one or more ordinary members to represent the interests of the Association for a specific purpose or on another body;
- Establish and maintain good channels of communication and open and constructive relations between its members, the better to serve the interests of legal education at South African universities; and
- Any related objective relevant to the management of institutions of legal education at South African universities.
Our Work
- Convening regular forums and conferences for South African law deans and legal scholars.
- Supporting research and the exchange of best practices in legal education and academic governance.
- Engaging with government departments, regulatory bodies, and professional councils on matters of legal education policy.
- Advocating for transformation in faculty demographics, curriculum content, and student access and success.
Membership
The heads for the time being of every Faculty or School of Law at every public university in the Republic of South Africa is a member of SALDA and entitled to participate in its activities, unless s/he expressly elects not to be a member
SALDA operates as a peer-driven, consensus-based body with a strong emphasis on collaboration, shared responsibility, and mutual respect.
