As the long-time head of the University’s Labour and Social Security Law Unit (LSSLU) which he founded in 2003, Prof Van der Walt has played a pivotal role in advancing labour law education, practice and policy nationally.
Faculty of Law Dean Dr Lynn Biggs highlighting his contribution: “Prof van der Walt’s profound contributions to the field of labour law have shaped both academic thought and practical application.
"His passion for the law, dedication to teaching, and ability to inspire critical thinking have left a lasting impact on generations of students and professionals. Prof did not only advance the discipline but also embedded a practical approach to legal education.”
Prof Van der Walt has helped shape South Africa’s labour landscape through his work in academia, public policy and legal reform. He served as Ministerially appointed Chair of both the Employment Conditions Commission and the National Minimum Wage Commission.
Despite officially retiring on 31 December 2024, Prof Van der Walt has not cut ties with the Faculty of Law and is continuing to supervise senior students. He is also continuing to act as a Senior Commissioner at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), a role he has been fulfilling since its inception in 1996.
Prof Van der Walt was the editor of the University’s legal journal, Obiter, in its early days, taking on the publication as a young lecturer after its original editorial team left.
“In a sense, I saved it – it became my baby,” he said. “I liked the engagement with fellow academics. I met so many people as editor and it has become a significant task.”
Seeing Obiter grow and develop from a print-only student publication to the highly regarded, open access, peer-reviewed journal it is today, accredited by the Department of Higher Education, has been immensely satisfying.
Another highlight has been his working relationship with the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC), which presented Prof Van der Walt with a Lifetime Achievement Award in September 2024. This award celebrates his collaboration with both education trade unions and the Department of Education to improve working conditions for public educators.
In June, he was part of an ELRC delegation which travelled to Seattle in the United States to speak at a national conference, and he is still working with international authorities to further its aims.
“They have now engaged me as their representative in a project on collaborative management at schools, working with Prof Saul Rubinstein of Rutgers University to implement that here in South Africa.”
His practical, policy-oriented approach to legal education also has positioned the University as a national hub for labour law training and community engagement.
Under his leadership, the LSSLU introduced flagship programmes such as the Practical Labour Law Programme for trade union and employer representatives and the Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law Practice, which provides access to higher degrees through recognition of prior learning.
The Unit also houses the Labour Law Advice Office, offering free legal assistance to unrepresented employees.
Despite numerous research publications and contributions to industry, however, Prof Van der Walt sees himself foremost as a teacher, with an ethos anchored in the humanising pedagogy for which Nelson Mandela University is known.
“It is important to see the person behind the student, and not let the huge numbers dehumanise us. It is easier when there are small groups but we must look beyond that and try to assist the students who cross our path as much as possible. I want them to excel and pay it forward.
“The biggest reward is to see them shine later.”
Over the years, students had become friends, he said: “I have kept contact with a large number of them, and many are doing exceptionally well, all over the world and in South Africa with labour law in particular.”
Combining legal expertise with social justice advocacy continues through the many graduates and colleagues he has mentored over the years.
With Prof Van der Walt’s retirement, the University has appointed Mr Thanduxolo Qotoyi as the new head of the Labour and Social Security Law Unit, with Mr Mahlubandile Ntontela as the deputy head.
“We are confident that Thando and Hlubi will continue to drive the Unit’s mission of transformative legal education, improvement of knowledge and skills, and access to justice,” said Dr Biggs. “The Faculty of Law thanks Prof Van der Walt for his years of service, innovation and dedication to legal education.”