Themes

We welcome papers on any topic related to Mandela and the law

Below are themes to guide you. Your topic does not strictly have to fall within one of these themes.

1. NEW THEME! Mandela was quoted saying: "to deny people their human rights is to challenge their humanity". Participants are invited to submit abstracts on human rights that speak to this quote.

2. NEW THEME! As a struggle lawyer, Mandela sometimes disregarded the law because he thought they were unjust and enacted by an illegitimate regime. Participants are invited to submit abstracts on the Rule of Law, including current disregard of the law on the basis that the law is unjust or enacted by an illegitimate regime, Mandela's disregard of the law and the justification for disregarding the law.

3. NEW THEME! Mandela was passionate about education. Participants are invited to submit abstracts on education, including the current crisis in education, the right to education and Mandela's influence on education in South Africa.

4. NEW THEME! Mandela was quoted saying that "Freedom cannot be achieved unless the women have been emancipated from all forms of oppression." Participants are invited to submit abstracts on women's rights and gender equality. More general abstracts on freedom or equality are also welcomed.

5. President Mandela interfaced with the law throughout his lifetime. Participants are invited to submit abstracts on Mandela as:

· a struggle lawyer in the 1950s

· a criminal accused in the 1960s

· a witness in the 1990s

· a negotiator in the constitution making process in the 1990s

6. During his tenure as president, Mandela’s decisions were not immune from legal scrutiny. Participants are invited to submit abstracts on Mandela and the Constitutional Court, revisiting constitutional court cases with Mandela as a litigant:

· President of the RSA v Hugo (1997);

· Executive Council of the Western Cape Legislature and Others v President of the RSA (1995)

· President of the RSA v SARFU (1999)

· Executive Council of the Province of the Western Cape v Minister of Provincial Affairs and Constitutional Development (1999)

7. The establishment of the Constitutional Court and Mandela’s tenure as the first democratically elected president of South Africa coincided. Participants are invited to submit abstracts on the impact of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy on the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court or the development of academia in post-apartheid South Africa.

8. President Mandela is well known for his love of children. Participants are invited to submit abstracts on children’s rights, including the rights of children to be heard and children’s role in the political process (protests, the right to vote, participation in legislative processes).