Corporate social responsibility and sustainability are popular concepts, but they are often misconstrued and poorly implemented.
Business and human rights (BHR) discourse emerged as a regulatory critique to corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Against the backdrop of the increasing power, influence and control of businesses globally, but especially in the developing economies such as in Africa, this course blends theory and practical insights with an understanding of the complementary concepts of CSR, BHR and sustainability.
It provides an integrated study of CSR and BHR in African context and an excellent opportunity for participants to understand how these constructs are operationalised within African countries and in major international regulatory dialogues across the world.
Participants will gain a better understanding of the nuances concerning these concepts, and will not only appreciate the extent of their rights and responsibilities in CSR-related and BHR-inspired legislations in South Africa and beyond, but will also be better able to comply with such CSR and BHR requirements within the jurisdiction.
Join us for an six-hour course, held over two days.
When and where?
28 and 29 July 2025, 09:00 to 12:00 SAST
This course will be held remotely, most likely on Zoom - exact details will be sent to registered participants a few days before the course.
Course outline
The following topics will be covered:
- Introduction to CSR, BHR and sustainability
- Terminologies: conceptual clarifications
- Country-by-country conceptual analysis of CSR, BHR and sustainability
- World outlook of CSR, BHR and Sustainability in international regulatory dialogues
- CSR and BHR in practice: stakeholder engagement and risk management
Who will benefit from this course?
The course will not only appeal to academics, researchers and policy-makers, but will also be applicable to corporate managers, executives and directors, attorneys, legal consultants, compliance officers, and company secretaries, among others.
Presenter
Dr Mikovhe Maphiri is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Commercial Law at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and an emerging thought leader in corporate governance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability. She is the Director of the Corporate Law and Corporate Governance Unit at UCT and a board member of the Telluride Association in Ithaca, New York. Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa in 2017, she has since dedicated her career to advancing legal scholarship and corporate accountability, particularly within the African context.
Dr. Maphiri’s research explores the intersection of corporate governance, sustainability, business and human rights, and the role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in shaping social, economic, and environmental outcomes in developing economies. She has published extensively in these areas, with her work critically engaging corporate law’s role in fostering ethical and responsible business practices. She is currently leading multiple research projects, including an edited textbook on corporate governance and ESG, a journal article on strategic worker participation under company law, and a chapter contribution for an international publication on corporate duties and liabilities.
A sought-after speaker and consultant, Dr. Maphiri has been invited to participate in global academic forums, including a seminar at the University Center of Brasilia in November 2024 on corporate duties and liability. She is also actively involved in mentoring postgraduate students, supervising Master's and PhD candidates, and curating academic programs that bridge corporate law with sustainable business practices.
Beyond academia, she is the founder of Our Academic Journey, a nonprofit initiative supporting aspiring scholars.
How much?
R2,970 per person
Certificate
A digital certificate of attendance from UCT will be issued to those who attend the full course.
How to sign up
Complete and submit the registration form. You will then be given the payment information. Please note that registrations will not be accepted until payment has been made.
One or two days before the course, we will send you the Zoom link. You will need to register and use a password to enter the virtual classroom.
Registrations close three days before the course starts.
Download the brochure.