Letlhokwa George Mpedi

Letlhokwa George Mpedi
Mpedi in September 2023
Vice-chancellor of University of Johannesburg
Incumbent
Assumed office
1 March 2023
Preceded byTshilidzi Marwala
Personal details
SpouseBessy Mpedi (née Kgobe)
Children1
Parent(s)Daniel Pule Mpedi and Josephine Hambile Mpedi[1]
Alma materVista University
University of Johannesburg
ProfessionProfessor
AwardsDeutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) award

Letlhokwa George Mpedi is a South African academic, who is Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg, as of March 2023, succeeding Professor Tshilidzi Marwala.[2][3][4]

Early years and education

Letlhokwa George Mpedi was born and brought up in a small village in Hammanskraal, a region in northern Gauteng province, South Africa.[5]

Attending Vista University, Mpedi completed his BJuris degree (1996) and LLB degree (1998), and he went on to earn his Doctor of Laws qualification from Rand Afrikaans University (now University of Johannesburg).[5] He twice received the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) award (in 2000 and 2001), to conduct research in Germany, and in 2003 he took a post-doctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Society in Munich.[6]

He served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Law at the University of Johannesburg,[7] where he was the first black law dean and one of only a few in South Africa.[8] He sits on the board of governors of the International Association of Law Schools.[9]

His official inauguration as Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg took place on 10 March 2023.[10]

Mpedi contributes regularly to South African newspapers, including the Daily Maverick,[11] as well as having written many peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.[12] He is also the author of the 2023 book From the Baobab to the Mosquito: Rethinking Leadership Through African Sayings.[13][14]

Awards and recognition

Awards that Mpedi has received include in 2023 an honorary doctorate from Caucasus University in Tbilisi, Georgia.[15][16]

Personal life

Mpedi is married to Bessy (née Kgobe) and they have a son.[12]

Works

Books

  • From the Baobab to the Mosquito: Rethinking Leadership Through African Sayings, Tracey McDonald Publishers, 2023, ISBN 978-1-7764431-2-3.
  • (With Tshilidzi Marwala) Artificial intelligence and the law, Palgrave Macmillan, 2024.

Selected shorter writings

  • N Smit, LG Mpedi. "Social protection for developing countries: Can social insurance be more relevant for those working in the informal economy?" Law, Democracy & Development 14 (1), 1–33, 29 2010.
  • MP Olivier, LG Mpedi. "Extending social protection to families in the African context: the complementary role of formal and informal social security in Social security in a long life society". 4th International Research Conference on Social Security, Antwerp, 5–7 14 2003.
  • M Nyenti, LG Mpedi. "The impact of SADC social protection instruments on the setting up of a minimum social protection floor in southern African countries". Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal 15 (1), 244–281, 13, 2012.
  • LG Mpedi. "The evolving relationship between labour law and social security". Acta Juridica, 2012 (1), 270–285.

As editor

  • (With Tineke Dijkhoff) Recommendation on Social Protection Floors: Basic Principles for Innovative Solutions, 2016.
  • Santa Claus: Law, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Decolonisation and Covid-19, African Sun Media, 2020, ISBN 9781928314820.
  • (With Mehmet Okyayuz, Junxiang Mao, Peter Herrmann) Human Rights in a Changing World: Reflections on Fundamental Challenges, Springer, 2023.
  • Women: Wise, Optimistic, Motivating, Empowering & Nurturing, UJ Press, 2024.

References

  1. ^ "Inauguration Speech by Prof Letlhokwa George Mpedi" (PDF). University of Johannesburg. 10 March 2023.
  2. ^ Moichela, Kamogelo (23 September 2022). "University of Johannesburg appoints Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi as new Vice-Chancellor". Independent Online (IOL).
  3. ^ Masweneng, Kgaugelo (23 September 2022). "University of Johannesburg appoints new vice-chancellor and principal". Times Live.
  4. ^ Sibanda, Anelisa (11 March 2023). "Mpedi officially takes the reigns as UJ's new vice-chancellor". Sunday World. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  5. ^ a b Njilo, Nonkululeko (11 March 2023). "Meet the new chief of the University of Johannesburg – 'We need solid academic leaders'". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  6. ^ "South African Education Leaders". African Scientists Directory. Academy of Science of South Africa. 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  7. ^ Molele, Charles (26 September 2022). "UJ appoints Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi as new vice-chancellor and principal". Inside Education. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  8. ^ "UJ's Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi awarded prestigious awards at CEO Titans – Building Nations ceremony". 12 July 2016. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  9. ^ "UJ's Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi appointed to the International Association of Law Schools' Board of Governors". University of Johannesburg. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  10. ^ "New era for UJ as Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi is inaugurated as the Vice-Chancellor and Principalpublisher= University of Johannesburg". 11 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Thought Leaders". 2 April 2023. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  12. ^ a b "Letlhokwa George Mpedi — the Karate Kid who grew up to become a vice-chancellor". University of Johannesburg. 7 March 2023.
  13. ^ Mpedi, Letlhokwa George (12 February 2024). "Studying the animal kingdom can give us key insights into effective patterns of leadership". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  14. ^ "High Tea With The VC: From the Baobab to the Mosquito: Rethinking Leadership Through African Sayings". University of Johannesburg. 8 March 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ "Honorary Doctors of Caucasus University". Caucasus University. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  16. ^ "CU Graduation 2023". Caucasus University. 4 August 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2024.