The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Faculty of Law is home to a vibrant community of researchers whose work is shaping legal scholarship, policy, and practice. Among them is Dr Justice Mudzamiri, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PDRF) in the Department of Mercantile Law, whose research is contributing to important debates on corporate governance, takeover regulation, sustainability, and the future of corporate law in Africa.
An admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, Dr Mudzamiri holds LLB, LLM and Doctor of Laws (LLD) degrees and has built an impressive academic profile centred on Corporate and Commercial Law. His research interests include corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance law, and takeover regulation. He is actively involved in research and publication, lectures undergraduate students, and supervises Master of Laws (LLM) dissertations in Corporate Law at UJ.
For Dr Mudzamiri, a career in law was almost destined from an early age.
“I have always aspired to become a legal practitioner. I recall that I projected that I would be a lawyer when responding to the popular question in Grade 1 about career aspirations,” he reflects. “My philosophy of law is that it ought to protect people and societies; yet, in the wrong hands, the law can be weaponised to control and oppress people and societies.”
This belief has shaped a research career dedicated to influencing policymaking, legal practice and regulation. His work is driven by the conviction that corporate law in African economies should promote investment while remaining grounded in values such as sustainability, justice, equality, dignity and ubuntu.
His current postdoctoral project, titled “An Appraisal of the Efficacy of the South African Takeover Regulatory Framework in Protecting Stakeholders’ Interests: A Comparative Analysis”, examines whether South Africa’s takeover regulation aligns with the broader objectives of the Companies Act 71 of 2008. The research seeks to determine whether companies can simultaneously drive investment and economic growth while delivering meaningful social benefits.
“Companies’ purpose should have considerations including economics, environment, sustainability and other societal needs,” says Dr Mudzamiri. “My research comparatively evaluates whether the existing regulatory framework adequately promotes these objectives.”
A key feature of his work is its focus on the African context. Through comparative legal analysis, Dr Mudzamiri investigates how corporate law frameworks can better respond to issues of inequality, sustainability and governance. His scholarship advocates for the inclusion of concepts such as ubuntu and distributive justice in corporate law regulation and challenges the traditional shareholder-primacy approach that has historically dominated the field.
His research also engages with emerging issues at the intersection of law and technology. Among his current projects are studies exploring the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in regulating directors’ duties and proposals for strengthening insider trading provisions within takeover regulation. These projects reflect his commitment to ensuring that legal frameworks remain responsive to technological advancement and evolving societal needs.
Dr Mudzamiri’s connection to UJ Law runs deep. An alumnus of the Faculty, having completed his LLM in Commercial Law at UJ, he describes the institution as his university of choice.
“The UJ Faculty of Law is one of the best in Africa. I have known UJ to have high-profile experts in my area of expertise, and I was drawn to a Faculty that leads in contemporary legal issues, including infusing AI, ethics and constitutional values in legal research,” he says.
His postdoctoral journey has been shaped by the mentorship of two distinguished scholars. He began his fellowship under the guidance of former UJ Law Dean, Professor Kathleen van der Linde, with whom he co-published research in the Tydskrif vir die Suid-Afrikaanse Reg (TSAR). He is currently hosted by Professor Juanitta Calitz, with whom he continues to collaborate on postgraduate supervision and research initiatives.
Reflecting on his academic journey, Dr Mudzamiri points to both personal achievement and the success of others as among the most rewarding aspects of his career. To date, he has published 17 peer-reviewed academic articles, a peer-reviewed book chapter and 10 professional articles. His work has appeared in leading national and international journals, including publications associated with Cambridge University Press and Edinburgh University Press. He has also presented research at prestigious institutions such as the University of Oxford and has successfully supervised 17 LLM students in Corporate Law.
As he looks ahead, Dr Mudzamiri intends to continue building his academic profile through research, postgraduate supervision and scholarly collaboration. His aspirations include obtaining an NRF rating, securing a permanent academic position, and ultimately becoming a Professor of Corporate Law.
“Pursue research that genuinely interests you, seek mentorship, strive for excellence, remain curious, and contribute meaningfully to society through scholarship and policy engagement,” he shared a message to emerging scholars considering a career in academia.
Through his research, teaching and mentorship, Dr Justice Mudzamiri demonstrates the role of scholarship in addressing contemporary challenges while shaping more sustainable, inclusive and responsive legal frameworks. His work not only contributes to advancing corporate law scholarship but also reinforces UJ Law’s commitment to research excellence, innovation and societal impact.
