This study examines the basis of contractual liability in indigenous law. It concludes that contractual liability arises only from real contracts where one party has performed fully or partially in terms of an agreement. Attention is given to both the nature and concept of indigenous contracts to ascertain the function of contracts in indigenous societies in order to bring a holistic perspective to the topic. It is demonstrated that the settlement of disputes arising out of indigenous contracts is primarily focused on the reconciliation of people and the consequent maintenance of harmony within the community. The foremost concern in indigenous law of contract is with human justice rather than with strict legal justice, and expression is thereby given to prevailing community values. / Indigenous Law / LL.M.

The thesis analyses the concept ‘fairness’ in consumer contracts regulated by the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, mainly from the perspective of a freedom and fairness orientation. It discusses the evolution of ‘fairness’ as background to a more detailed discussion of the classification of fairness into substantive and procedural fairness. The thesis examines dimensions of fairness, factors which play a role in the determination of fairness, and fairness- oriented approaches in an attempt to formulate a framework for fairness in consumer contracts. The main aspects that should be taken into account to justify a finding of fairness, or to determine whether a contract is fair, are identified. This analysis addresses, too, the extent to which the fairness provisions of the Consumer Protection Act are appropriate (with reference to the law of South Africa, Europe, and England). / Mercantile Law / LL.D.

Text in Afrikaans, summary in Afrikaans and English / Die navorsingsondersoek is toegespits op arbeidsverhoudinge in die opvoedingspraktyk van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika. Arbeidsregsterme is aan die lig gebring wat onderwysers sal moet ken. Enkele menseregte en daarvan afgeleide regte van onderwysers word bespreek. Die diensverhouding tussen die onderwyser en sy werkgewer met betrekking tot individuele en kollektiewe verhoudinge, word bespreek. Arbeidsverhoudinge is onlosmaaklik van die juridiese en daarom word na verskeie regsaspekte, soos die dienskontrak van openbare en onafhanklike skole verwys. Raakpunte ten opsigte van wetgewing en hofsake voortspruitend daaruit, word aangedui. Implikasies van stakings deur onderwysers ingevolge arbeidswetgewing en hoe dit onderwysers se professionalisme raak, word deurgaans bespreek. Arbeidswetgewing reel die verhouding tussen werknemer en werkgewer. Wanneer die werknemer-werkgewer-verhouding vertroebel word, kan geskille besleg word deur middele soos arbitrasie en versoening. Huidige onderwysvakbonde het verteenwoordiging op die Raad vir Arbeidsverhoudinge in die Onderwys (RAVO) wat op 'n kollektiewe basis namens onderwysers beding. Onderwysers by onafhanklike skole (privaatskole) kan egter individueel beter beding vir byvoorbeeld diensvoorwaardes. Verskeie sagte vakbonde en harde vakbonde bestaan vir die onderwys. Redes waarom onderwysers by vakbonde aansluit word aangedui. Daar is eerstens die behoefte aan 'n bestaanswaardige salaris om basiese behoeftes te bevredig; tweedens om die sekuriteit van reels en prosedures wat fisiese veiligheid in die werkplek bevorder, te kan ervaar; derdens om deur vakbondlidmaatskap 'n spreekbuis te he waardeur 'n gemeenskaplike gevoel van magteloosheid teenoor die oorheersing van bestuur en eienaarskap (van die staat of provinsiale owerheid) uitgedruk kan word. Vierdens is daar 'n behoefte aan betekenisvolle werk wat uitdagings en werkbevrediging bied. Vyfdens word 'n ondersteuningsl iggaam verlang in geskille wat kan ontstaan as gevolg van 'n behoefte aan werksekerheid, veral om waarborge teen arbitrere ontslag te verseker. Laastens kan die bevordering van politieke oogmerke moontlik deur 'n vakbond se voorspraak bereik word. Arbeidsverhoudinge in die onderwys verander voortdurend met nuwe wetgewing. Die werknemer-werkgewer-verhouding moet deeglik geken word in die veranderende omstandighede in die Republiek van SuidAfrika ten opsigte van wetgewing en die bepaling van regte en verpligtinge van al die belanghebbende partye. Kennis van arbeidsverhoudinge in die onderwys sal hopelik tot beter begrip van arbeidsverhoudings in die onderwysstelsel lei. / This research focused on labour relations in education practice in the Republic of South Africa. Legal terms concerning labour relations are brought to the attention of teachers. Some human rights and subsequent rights of teachers, as well as labour relations between teacher and employer, both individual and collective, are discussed. Labour relations are connected to laws, therefore various legal aspects such as the service contract of teachers employed at public and independent schools are discussed. Connections with existing laws and relevant lawsuits are discussed. Legal implications of strikes by teachers and the effect on their professionalism are dealt with throughout. Labour laws regulate the relations between employer and employee. When these relations are troubled, differences can be resolved by arbitration and reconciliation. Existing teacher unions are represented in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) that acts collectively on behalf of teachers. However, teachers at independent schools (private schools) are in a more favourable position to negotiate more easily for better conditions of service. Various "soft" and "hard" unions exist in education. Reasons for desiring membership of labour unions are given. Firstly, there is a need to negotiate a reasonable salary to provide for basic needs; secondly, to experience security of rules and procedures ensuring physical safety in the work-place; thirdly, through membership to have a voice to express a shared feeling of helplessness against the domination of governance and ownership (of the state or provincial governments). Fourthly, there is the need for meaningful, challenging and satisfying work. Fifthly, support is necessary in settling differences arising from a need to experience job-security and to counteract arbitrary dismissal. Lastly, political goals might be attainable through a voice provided by the unions. Labour relations in education change continually, subject to new laws. The employer-employee relation should be mastered in changing circumstances in the Republic of South Africa in accordance with new laws and degrees of the rights and responsibilities of all parties concerned. Knowledge of labour relations in education will hopefully ensure better professional relations in education generally. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

Electronic contracts in the new technological age and electronic commerce have brought about world-wide legal uncertainty. When compared to the traditional paper-based method of writing and signing, the question has arisen whether contracts concluded by electronic means should be recognised as valid and enforceable agreements in terms of the functional equivalence approach. This study will examine the law regulating e-commerce from a South African perspective in contrast to international trends and e-commerce law from the perspective of the United States. The research investigates various aspects of contract formation such as time and place, validity of electronic agreements, electronic signatures, attribution of electronic data messages and signatures, automated transaction as well as select aspects of e-jurisdiction from a South African and United States viewpoint. / Mercantile Law / LLM

This study examines the basis of contractual liability in indigenous law. It concludes that contractual liability arises only from real contracts where one party has performed fully or partially in terms of an agreement. Attention is given to both the nature and concept of indigenous contracts to ascertain the function of contracts in indigenous societies in order to bring a holistic perspective to the topic. It is demonstrated that the settlement of disputes arising out of indigenous contracts is primarily focused on the reconciliation of people and the consequent maintenance of harmony within the community. The foremost concern in indigenous law of contract is with human justice rather than with strict legal justice, and expression is thereby given to prevailing community values. / Indigenous Law / LL.M.

The legal historical development of fairness in the South African common law of contract is investigated in the context of the political, social and economic developments of the last four centuries. It emerges that the common law of contract is still dominated by the ideologies of individualism and economic liberalism which were imported from English law during the nineteenth century. Together with the theories of legal positivism and formalism which are closely related to parliamentary sovereignty and the classical rule of law, these ideals were transposed into the common law of contract through the classical model of contract law which emphasises freedom and sanctity of contract and promotes legal certainty. This approach resulted in the negation of the court’s equitable discretion and the limitation of good faith which sustain the social and economic inequalities that were created under colonialism and exacerbated under apartheid rule. In stark contrast, the modern human rights culture grounded in human dignity and aimed at the promotion of substantive equality led to the introduction of modern contract theory in other parts of the world. The introduction of the Constitution as grounded in human dignity and aimed at the achievement of substantive equality has resulted in a sophisticated jurisprudence on human dignity that reflects a harmonisation between its Western conception as based on Kantian dignity and ubuntu which provides an African understanding thereof. In this respect, ubuntu plays an important role in infusing the common law of contract with African values and in promoting substantive equality between contracting parties in line with modern contract theory. It is submitted that this approach to human dignity should result in the development of good faith into a substantive rule of the common law of contract which can be used to set aside an unfair contract term or the unfair enforcement thereof. / Private Law / LL. D.

The thesis analyses the concept ‘fairness’ in consumer contracts regulated by the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008, mainly from the perspective of a freedom and fairness orientation. It discusses the evolution of ‘fairness’ as background to a more detailed discussion of the classification of fairness into substantive and procedural fairness. The thesis examines dimensions of fairness, factors which play a role in the determination of fairness, and fairness- oriented approaches in an attempt to formulate a framework for fairness in consumer contracts. The main aspects that should be taken into account to justify a finding of fairness, or to determine whether a contract is fair, are identified. This analysis addresses, too, the extent to which the fairness provisions of the Consumer Protection Act are appropriate (with reference to the law of South Africa, Europe, and England). / Mercantile Law / LL.D.

Text in Afrikaans, summary in Afrikaans and English / Die navorsingsondersoek is toegespits op arbeidsverhoudinge in die opvoedingspraktyk van die Republiek van Suid-Afrika. Arbeidsregsterme is aan die lig gebring wat onderwysers sal moet ken. Enkele menseregte en daarvan afgeleide regte van onderwysers word bespreek. Die diensverhouding tussen die onderwyser en sy werkgewer met betrekking tot individuele en kollektiewe verhoudinge, word bespreek. Arbeidsverhoudinge is onlosmaaklik van die juridiese en daarom word na verskeie regsaspekte, soos die dienskontrak van openbare en onafhanklike skole verwys. Raakpunte ten opsigte van wetgewing en hofsake voortspruitend daaruit, word aangedui. Implikasies van stakings deur onderwysers ingevolge arbeidswetgewing en hoe dit onderwysers se professionalisme raak, word deurgaans bespreek. Arbeidswetgewing reel die verhouding tussen werknemer en werkgewer. Wanneer die werknemer-werkgewer-verhouding vertroebel word, kan geskille besleg word deur middele soos arbitrasie en versoening. Huidige onderwysvakbonde het verteenwoordiging op die Raad vir Arbeidsverhoudinge in die Onderwys (RAVO) wat op 'n kollektiewe basis namens onderwysers beding. Onderwysers by onafhanklike skole (privaatskole) kan egter individueel beter beding vir byvoorbeeld diensvoorwaardes. Verskeie sagte vakbonde en harde vakbonde bestaan vir die onderwys. Redes waarom onderwysers by vakbonde aansluit word aangedui. Daar is eerstens die behoefte aan 'n bestaanswaardige salaris om basiese behoeftes te bevredig; tweedens om die sekuriteit van reels en prosedures wat fisiese veiligheid in die werkplek bevorder, te kan ervaar; derdens om deur vakbondlidmaatskap 'n spreekbuis te he waardeur 'n gemeenskaplike gevoel van magteloosheid teenoor die oorheersing van bestuur en eienaarskap (van die staat of provinsiale owerheid) uitgedruk kan word. Vierdens is daar 'n behoefte aan betekenisvolle werk wat uitdagings en werkbevrediging bied. Vyfdens word 'n ondersteuningsl iggaam verlang in geskille wat kan ontstaan as gevolg van 'n behoefte aan werksekerheid, veral om waarborge teen arbitrere ontslag te verseker. Laastens kan die bevordering van politieke oogmerke moontlik deur 'n vakbond se voorspraak bereik word. Arbeidsverhoudinge in die onderwys verander voortdurend met nuwe wetgewing. Die werknemer-werkgewer-verhouding moet deeglik geken word in die veranderende omstandighede in die Republiek van SuidAfrika ten opsigte van wetgewing en die bepaling van regte en verpligtinge van al die belanghebbende partye. Kennis van arbeidsverhoudinge in die onderwys sal hopelik tot beter begrip van arbeidsverhoudings in die onderwysstelsel lei. / This research focused on labour relations in education practice in the Republic of South Africa. Legal terms concerning labour relations are brought to the attention of teachers. Some human rights and subsequent rights of teachers, as well as labour relations between teacher and employer, both individual and collective, are discussed. Labour relations are connected to laws, therefore various legal aspects such as the service contract of teachers employed at public and independent schools are discussed. Connections with existing laws and relevant lawsuits are discussed. Legal implications of strikes by teachers and the effect on their professionalism are dealt with throughout. Labour laws regulate the relations between employer and employee. When these relations are troubled, differences can be resolved by arbitration and reconciliation. Existing teacher unions are represented in the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) that acts collectively on behalf of teachers. However, teachers at independent schools (private schools) are in a more favourable position to negotiate more easily for better conditions of service. Various "soft" and "hard" unions exist in education. Reasons for desiring membership of labour unions are given. Firstly, there is a need to negotiate a reasonable salary to provide for basic needs; secondly, to experience security of rules and procedures ensuring physical safety in the work-place; thirdly, through membership to have a voice to express a shared feeling of helplessness against the domination of governance and ownership (of the state or provincial governments). Fourthly, there is the need for meaningful, challenging and satisfying work. Fifthly, support is necessary in settling differences arising from a need to experience job-security and to counteract arbitrary dismissal. Lastly, political goals might be attainable through a voice provided by the unions. Labour relations in education change continually, subject to new laws. The employer-employee relation should be mastered in changing circumstances in the Republic of South Africa in accordance with new laws and degrees of the rights and responsibilities of all parties concerned. Knowledge of labour relations in education will hopefully ensure better professional relations in education generally. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

Electronic contracts in the new technological age and electronic commerce have brought about world-wide legal uncertainty. When compared to the traditional paper-based method of writing and signing, the question has arisen whether contracts concluded by electronic means should be recognised as valid and enforceable agreements in terms of the functional equivalence approach. This study will examine the law regulating e-commerce from a South African perspective in contrast to international trends and e-commerce law from the perspective of the United States. The research investigates various aspects of contract formation such as time and place, validity of electronic agreements, electronic signatures, attribution of electronic data messages and signatures, automated transaction as well as select aspects of e-jurisdiction from a South African and United States viewpoint. / Mercantile Law / LLM

The legal historical development of fairness in the South African common law of contract is investigated in the context of the political, social and economic developments of the last four centuries. It emerges that the common law of contract is still dominated by the ideologies of individualism and economic liberalism which were imported from English law during the nineteenth century. Together with the theories of legal positivism and formalism which are closely related to parliamentary sovereignty and the classical rule of law, these ideals were transposed into the common law of contract through the classical model of contract law which emphasises freedom and sanctity of contract and promotes legal certainty. This approach resulted in the negation of the court’s equitable discretion and the limitation of good faith which sustain the social and economic inequalities that were created under colonialism and exacerbated under apartheid rule. In stark contrast, the modern human rights culture grounded in human dignity and aimed at the promotion of substantive equality led to the introduction of modern contract theory in other parts of the world. The introduction of the Constitution as grounded in human dignity and aimed at the achievement of substantive equality has resulted in a sophisticated jurisprudence on human dignity that reflects a harmonisation between its Western conception as based on Kantian dignity and ubuntu which provides an African understanding thereof. In this respect, ubuntu plays an important role in infusing the common law of contract with African values and in promoting substantive equality between contracting parties in line with modern contract theory. It is submitted that this approach to human dignity should result in the development of good faith into a substantive rule of the common law of contract which can be used to set aside an unfair contract term or the unfair enforcement thereof. / Private Law / LL. D.