South Africa's transition to democracy has been recognised throughout the world as a remarkable triumph. Nelson Mandela is the symbol of that triumph.
While South Africa's first democratic election in 1994 clearly marked the country's political transformation, it is equally necessary to effect an economic transformation.
The achievement of the socio-economic rights in the Constitution's Bill of Rights cannot be successful without a strong and growing economy.
In order to develop and grow its economy, South Africa must be competing and trading in a fast-changing world economy, a global economic order where investment moves rapidly and with little if any sense of constitutional patriotism or nationality.
In our view, South Africa's success is a critical part of the economic development of the Southern African region and the renewal of the African continent.
Economic success depends in significant part upon the South African, Southern African, and African legal systems having the capacity to engage the world economic order – including skilled lawyers and a deep pool of legal knowledge.
In the light of these imperatives, the Wits Law School launched the Mandela Institute in 2000, to honour the contribution of Mr Mandela to the transformation of South Africa.
The Mandela Institute conducts research, develops policy and offers advanced teaching in global economic law. Global economic law connects South Africa (and the developing world) to the global world economy. It includes competition and international trade law, intellectual property law, banking and finance law, telecommunications law, international arbitration, and global business regulation.
In developing a new generation of skilled legal professionals in these areas, the Mandela Institute operates with South Africa's unique position in Africa in mind.
The Mandela Institute comprises professors and other affiliated staff in the Wits Law School, as well as appointments made from persons with high standing in the legal profession.