This initiative emerged as a result of the desire to bring current/topical conversations and authors into spaces that are accessible to students. In addition to being an opportunity to meet the authors and commentators, these events also focus on issues related to the law and its role in addressing social justice.
2026
On 23 March, the Centre for Law and Society is hosted the launch of Dr Jameelah Omar’s recently published book: The Structural Exclusion of Rape Complainants in South Africa’s Criminal Justice System: Justice through Participation.
Exploring the intricate dynamics surrounding rape complainants within the South African criminal justice system, this book proposes reforms in the approach to participation of victims with the aim of mitigating the structural barriers imposed by the adversarial process.
Broadening the concept of participation, the book takes a comprehensive view of meaningful participation at every stage of the legal process and argues that participation can further justice for rape victims. In doing so, it highlights that justice as an outcome of the criminal process should not solely be focused on convicting perpetrators, but about restoring the dignity of and empowering victims. Through the practical proposals included in the book to integrate complainants into the criminal process, readers will gain an understanding of what is possible even within the structures of the adversarial system, and activists both within and outside the system will be better equipped to advocate for systemic change.
The Structural Exclusion of Rape Complainants in South Africa’s Criminal Justice System is of interest to students and scholars of socio-legal studies, criminal law, and criminology, particularly those focused on sexual offences, victimology, and the criminal justice system. It is also an important resource for those working with victims, such as NGOs providing legal representation, victim support and therapeutic counselling.
Dr Omar was in conversation with Professor Dee Smythe.
2025
On 3 December 2025, the Land and Accountability Research Centre, Centre of Criminology and the Centre for Law and Society hosted Sindiso Mnisi for the launch of her book Alter-Native Constitutionalism: Common-ing ‘common law, transforming property in South Africa. Sindiso was in conversation with Aninka Claasens, Emeritus Chief Researcher and Founding Director of LARC.
On Friday 3rd October, CLS in partnership with the Centre of Criminology hosted a seminar on the recently released book Behind Prison Walls: Unlocking a Safer South Africa.
The authors, retired Justice Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Surajpal, will be in conversation with Khomotso Moshikaro, Irvin Kinnes and Ziyanda Stuurman (UCT).
2024
On Wednesday 13 March 2024, CLS hosted the UCT book launch of Capture in the Court: In Defence of Judges and the Constitution, which saw author, Dan Mafora, in conversation with Professor Anthony Diala (UWC).
2023
On 13 April 2023, CLS and the Centre of Criminology co-hosted the launch of the book ‘The Unaccountables: The Powerful Politicians and Corporations who Profit from Impunity’ (editors Michael Marchant, Mamello Mosiana, Ra’eesa Pather and Hennie van Vuuren).
On 15 March 2023, CLS and the OMT Rising Star Fellow (WITS) hosted a launch of the book ‘Unsettling Apologies: Critical Writings on Apology from South Africa’ (Edited by Melanie Judge and Dee Smythe), at Love Books in Johannesburg.
2022
CLS hosted two public book launches in 2022 following the publication of Unsettling Apologies: Critical Writings on Apology from South Africa (Bristol University Press), edited by Melanie Judge and Dee Smythe. The first launch was hosted at the Institute of Development Studies in Brighton (UK) on Monday 14 November. The second launch was held in Cape Town at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation on Thursday 1 December. A panel of contributors included Dee Smythe, Melanie Judge, Nurina Ally and Omowamiwa Kolawole, with a robust conversation facilitated by the Foundation’s CEO, Janet Jobson. The launch was attended by over 30 attendees, including academics, writers and members of the public.
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