Partnering for a better future:
Johannesburg Business School believes in the power of digital transformation to drive sustainability and create a better world
As the world continues to navigate the rapidly changing business landscape, it is more important than ever for organisations to focus on sustainable solutions that drive financial success and positive social impact.
As the world changes, moving towards the harmonisation of human and machine intelligence, organisations need employees with the appropriate skills and expertise to drive digital transformation and sustainable development. By leveraging digital transformation and technology, businesses can streamline processes, increase efficiency and improve decision-making. When done with sustainability in mind, digital transformation can also reduce waste, minimise environmental harm and promote social wellbeing.
Investing in digital transformation skills for business leaders is more than just a trend, it is necessary for a sustainable future and success. By embracing digital transformation and making sustainability a top priority for your organisation, you can achieve business and societal success. The future is bright; at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) we believe in the power of digital transformation to drive sustainability and create a better world for humanity. That is why we partner with organisations from the private and public sectors to design and deliver tailored programmes and learning solutions that develop existing and future leaders.
We co-create executive education programmes with companies, philanthropists and the government to significantly improve individual and organisational performance.
JBS also understands that real progress means empowering all members of society, so we are in the business of reimagining your future.
Partner with us and elevate your organisation, employees and South Africa to the next level.
JBS. The business of reimagining your future.
Shaping justice and revolutionising legal education for a transformative South Africa:
Truly impactful legal education must be based on practical skills-based learning
Legal education has traditionally been seen as the cornerstone of shaping society’s future leaders, policymakers and advocates of justice. As we stand on the brink of a new era in South Africa, the call for a transformative approach to legal education has never been louder. South Africa’s socioeconomic environment is complex and deeply rooted in a history of inequality. The legal profession, unfortunately, has not escaped this reality and is often perceived as inaccessible to those from underprivileged backgrounds. This perception presents a significant challenge in a nation where access to justice is crucial for the protection and advancement of human rights.
At Nelson Mandela University, we believe that the key to truly impactful legal education lies not only in rigorous academic instruction but also in equipping students with practical skills that prepare them for the challenges of the real world. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the need to bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application in legal education. Traditional legal curricula, with their focus on theoretical knowledge, have been criticised for failing to adequately prepare students for the realities of legal practice. Graduates often find themselves well-versed in legal theory but lacking the practical skills needed to navigate the complexities of the legal system and effectively advocate for their clients.
This is where practical, skills-based learning becomes essential. By integrating experiential learning opportunities into the legal curriculum, we can ensure that our students are not only knowledgeable but also capable of applying their knowledge in real-world contexts. This approach not only enhances the employability of our graduates but also equips them to serve the diverse needs of South African society.
A foundation of our educational philosophy at Nelson Mandela University is the belief that the law should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status. We recognise that for the law to be a tool for justice, it must be understood and utilised by those it is meant to serve. This requires a legal education system that is inclusive, socially conscious, and dedicated to empowering underprivileged communities.
Our dedication to making law accessible is reflected in our focus on community engagement and public interest law. We believe that by exposing our students to the challenges faced by marginalised communities, we can instill in them a sense of responsibility to use their legal skills for the greater good. This is not just about pro bono work or legal aid, though these are important components. It’s about cultivating a mindset in our students that sees the law as a means to uplift and protect those who are most vulnerable.
The emphasis on practical education should extend far beyond the classroom, with experiential learning opportunities being a central component of our legal education. One of our flagship initiatives is the Law Clinic in Missionvale. Here, all final-year LLB students are required to complete a period of service at the clinic, providing legal advice to indigent members of the community under the supervision of qualified attorneys. This hands-on experience is invaluable in helping our students develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate the complexities of the legal profession.
Another cornerstone of our outreach efforts is the Mobile Law Clinic, which plays a critical role in our mission to make legal assistance accessible to all. By bringing our services directly to disadvantaged areas, the Mobile Law Clinic ensures that even the most marginalised communities receive the legal support they need. This initiative not only provides essential services to those in need but also gives our students the opportunity to apply their legal knowledge in real-world situations, fostering a deep understanding of the challenges faced by these communities.
Although our Street Law Project, which was established in the early 1990s to promote legal literacy by educating people about their human rights and democracy, has not been a part of our curriculum since the Covid-19 pandemic, we plan to reintroduce it next year. This project has historically been integral to our mission of making the law accessible to all, and its return will further enhance our students’ exposure to public interest law.
It is essential to acknowledge the profound impact of technological advancements on the legal profession, and experiential learning should also include educating students on how to navigate and leverage these innovations. Our commitment to staying at the forefront of legal education is reflected in our Moot Courtroom, which features state-of-the-art technology that facilitates hybrid learning and remote participation, providing students with a contemporary, adaptable learning environment.
As we look to the future, the importance of practical skills-based learning in legal education cannot be overstated. By integrating experiential learning opportunities into our curriculum, we are not only preparing our students for the demands of the legal profession but also empowering them to be agents of change in society. It is also imperative to lay the foundation of a legal education that is inclusive, socially conscious, and responsive to the needs of South Africa.
As legal educators, it is our responsibility to ensure that our students and graduates are not only proficient in legal theory but also prepared to make a real difference in the world. This is the future of legal education in South Africa — one that is driven by a dedication to justice, equality and the betterment of society as a whole.
Dr Lynn Biggs is Executive Dean, Faculty of Law, Nelson Mandela University; Lindi Coetzee is Deputy Dean & Senior Lecturer
Ferrets: Adorable companions or ecological threats in South Africa?:
With their long, slender bodies and fluffy faces, ferrets are becoming increasingly popular as “pets” in South Africa.
They are relatively new to the country and “people who are adventurous in choosing a furry friend” have shown an interest in ferrets, according to CapeNature, which is the chief custodian of the Western Cape’s natural environment.
But there are several reasons why these small predators, which belong to the weasel family, do not make ideal pets, the organisation said. Ferrets, unlike dogs and cats, have not been domesticated for thousands of years, which means that there is a lack of research and knowledge regarding diseases they might carry.
This makes it very difficult for a vet to ensure that an animal is disease-free, CapeNature said.
“Some diseases may be transferable to indigenous wild animals such as African polecat, African weasel, honey badger, Cape clawless otter, mongoose or even humans.”
In North America, there is evidence that some of the diseases associated with the endangered American black-footed ferret are attributable to the importation of ferrets.
“They have been found to carry rabies, for which there is no proven vaccine. In other parts of the world, ferrets have been found to be carriers of bovine tuberculosis.”
The potential ecological threat of feral populations of ferrets, whether sterilised or not, becoming established cannot be understated. The ecological effects of feral populations in New Zealand, for example, where they are categorised as an “unwanted organism”, include devastating rates of mortality among several indigenous wild animal species.
“For these reasons, ferrets are mostly banned globally and are considered highly undesirable imports in many other parts of the world where their unfortunate import was originally permitted,” CapeNature said.
It viewed ferrets as “highly undesirable” in the Western Cape, noting that a permit is required for all activities involving the animals, including buying, selling and possessing them, in the province.
“Anyone found keeping ferrets without a permit could be in contravention of the provisions of the nature conservation ordinance and, if found guilty, will face legal consequences.”
There had been an increase in ferrets being kept as pets in homes as well as being caught “running wild” in recent months.
“The increase in pet-ferret encounters in the Western Cape sadly illustrates that people are importing, keeping and or trading in ferrets without concern for the dire environmental risk that these activities pose to the precious biodiversity of the province,” CapeNature’s chief executive Ashley Naidoo said.
He urged the public to work with the organisation to curb wildlife crime by reporting any suspicious activity related to the illegal collection and trade of animals and plants.
Ferrets are known for their significant destruction of indigenous species and are “escape artists”, according to the National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA). The society opposes keeping indigenous wild or exotic species as companion animals, its public relations and legal liaison Jacques Peacock said.
“Wildlife should remain, and roam, freely in their natural habitat, as it is inhumane to condemn wild animals to a life in captivity where their species-specific needs cannot be addressed.
“We are further opposed to private and commercial breeding of all animals for the pet trade, including indigenous wild and exotic species,” Peacock said.
“The SPCA’s opposition to the breeding of wild animals as companion animals is based on the fact that it is inappropriate and inhumane to force a wild animal to live a captive life where their species-specific needs cannot be addressed.”
He added that wild animals are not domesticated and are often denied their five freedoms, if they are forced to endure a life in captivity.
“Ferrets devastate our indigenous wildlife and, accordingly, we understand the stance of CapeNature. As far as we are aware, Gauteng has a similar policy towards the keeping of ferrets.”
A 2021 research paper by the DSI-NRF Centre for Excellence in Invasion Biology and the Centre for Functional biodiversity at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which focused on predicting the potential distribution of non-native mammalian species sold in South Africa’s pet trade, described how the pet trade is one of the main pathways of introduction of several mammals worldwide.
The domesticated ferret was among 14 assessed species and the researchers noted that while some of the species assessed were not commonly sold in the pet trade, they were found to have environmental and socio-economic effects, including Mongolian gerbils, domesticated ferrets and sugar gliders.
They found that bioclimatic variables — temperature and rainfall — could also play a role in the distribution of domesticated ferrets in South Africa, with a highly suitable distribution in the coastal areas.
“However, this species could occupy lowland habitats as it is associated with them in western Europe and New Zealand, where it is invasive. Domesticated ferrets may negatively impact the biodiversity in the coastal areas if they become successful invaders in South Africa.
“In New Zealand, domesticated ferrets became successful invaders because of the lack of predators and they have been reported to predate on native penguins and ground-nesting birds,” the research found.
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