Happy 2026!
2025 was a year of milestones. It kicked off with the launch of The Law and Governance Academy of Southern Africa (LAGASA) at my alma mater – 1 of the big 5 SA firms – with sponsorship from KAS South Africa & G.I. I was honoured to have CC Justice Majiedt deliver the Keynote.
From March – May, I participated in numerous multi-stakeholder engagements; including with reps from the OSCE, the UN & the International Anti-Corruption Academy in Vienna to discuss synergies with LAGASA. Having been awarded the ’24 @JustitiaAward: ‘Best international legal game-changer / pioneer’ (The Women in Law Initiative), I attended the ’25 Juristenbal – what an experience! It was also lovely to co-present a seminar with Prof Heidinger to his students of University of Vienna & share insights on responsibilities under SA corporate law.
I also loved addressing the young fellows of @Future Elect (Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Sub-Saharan Africa), & honouring the late Prof Stu Woolman with a tribute at the CCR Conference (KAS South Africa). I wish I could tell Stu just how influential my doctoral work has been in state-capture redress. A heavenly salute to you, Stu- grateful for your & Prof Roux’s editorial input on my 1st PhD article ‘21-‘22(https://lnkd.in/dXiz5an9).
Since laying these doctrinal foundations, among others: SA now has a permanent IDAC, monies (slowly) flowing back to the fiscus- due to the NPA finally being recognised as a ‘4th-branch I&A body’ as per my theorisation- plus the strengthening of the I&A Public Service Commission; & (the likes of) the Madlanga Commission capable of making recommendations qua ‘binding findings’ when ‘appropriate’, & reports to be furnished to the CJ & Speaker too. When I argued this (during a SAIFAC seminar in ‘20/‘21?), many doubted me. My reply (if in my head!) was: watch this space. I’m so proud – https://lnkd.in/d9Wfhkyv
’25 also saw me delivering the Opening Substantive Address for the Commonwealth Anti-Corruption Conference; moderating the Opening Panel (public sector track)of the WC Smart Procurement Conference; & giving Day 1’s Closing Speech, & what a joy to have been voted a Best Conference Speaker!
LAGASA also made submissions to the SALRC (‘NTRs’) & provided input on an Admin Justice Advisory Council. In Sept, I presented on the right to housing at Leiden Law School’s Conference on socio-economic rights; moderated the Opening Panel for the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service Centenary Conference, participated in G20 Values Summit& presented at the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University Winelands Conference, cementing new collegial ties.
The year didn’t slow. I addressed the KAS South African Fellows in Oct, then wrote & implemented LAGASA’s Project 2 for CT & JHB ’26 CLPs. I was the Keynoter at the Rochester Academic Awards Gala & loved engaging with the students. This & more…all in a year’s work. Phew! Go The Law and Governance Academy of Southern Africa
The start of 2026 saw LAGASA represented at the German Embassy’s New Year Brunch, as well as Kohn present her paper on ‘The Footnotes of Stu’ at the Constitutional Court Review Conference on the life and work of the late Prof Stu Woolman. The Conference was hosted by WITS, UJ and SAIFAC and sponsored by KAS.
