Earlier this month, Rhodes University played host to some of South Africa’s most esteemed legal professionals during the 2025 Legal Practitioners Forum (LPF). Organised by Ms Sue Smailes, Director in the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, in collaboration with the university’s Legal Unit, the event marked a significant milestone in legal collaboration across the country’s higher education sector.
Held in Makhanda, many of the delegates were visiting the historic university town for the first time. The LPF, which comprises legal practitioners from all 26 public universities in South Africa, serves as a vital knowledge-sharing network. Its role has become increasingly important as universities navigate a complex and evolving legal landscape.
Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University, officially welcomed attendees, expressing deep appreciation for their crucial work. “You play a vital role in defending the institutional integrity of our universities,” he noted, emphasising the significance of legal professionals in navigating current challenges facing higher education.
A major topic of concern at the forum was the conduct of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee in its interactions with public higher education institutions. Delegates raised alarm over what they perceived as public humiliation of universities, leading to robust discussions around the legal boundaries and powers held by the Committee versus those of individual institutions. Regulatory frameworks and the principles of constructive engagement were examined in detail.
The forum also welcomed keynote speaker Advocate John Grogan, renowned labour law expert, author, and former Acting Judge of the Labour Court. Advocate Grogan addressed the rapidly shifting terrain of labour law, highlighting the mounting complexities faced by university legal teams.
A particularly compelling session came from Advocate Nicola Molony, who addressed gender-based violence (GBV) in higher education institutions. Drawing on her work with Rhodes University following the #RUReferenceList protests, she detailed systemic reforms introduced to improve the handling of sexual offence complaints. Advocate Molony highlighted the confidentiality required in such cases and acknowledged the tension between transparency and victim protection, noting that while the public may not always see the outcomes, universities are actively addressing these issues behind the scenes.
Another thought-provoking presentation was delivered by Mr Sandro Milo, Co-Managing Partner at Eversheds-Sutherland, entitled ‘When universities take a stand: Academic freedom, institutional autonomy, governance and risk in the age of political pressure’. Milo’s address sparked vigorous debate, referencing international controversies such as the Trump administration’s withdrawal of funds from Columbia University, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania over political and cultural flashpoints. The discussion also touched on the University of Cape Town professor’s legal challenge over anti-Israel resolutions.
The legal implications of institutional autonomy and academic freedom were explored with reference to the Eastern Cape High Court decision in Chetty v Adesina (2007), which underscores the constitutional protections of academic freedom and the necessity for open, unfettered debate within university spaces.
Rhodes University’s hosting of the 2025 LPF not only spotlighted the institution’s legal and ethical leadership but also provided a vital space for reflection, debate, and solidarity among the country’s legal professionals working in higher education.