Law in Southern Africa

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Law in Southern Africa

• Universität Würzburg - WS 2007/08Dr. Karin
  Linhart, LL.M. (Duke)

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I. Introduction

• Is there an African legal tradition?
• Main features of African law
• Literature
• Associations concerned with African Law

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Scope of the Lecture

• What countries are considered Southern Africa?

• South Africa
• Lesotho
• Swaziland
• Namibia
• Botswana
• Zimbabwe
• Mozambique
• Angola
• Zambia
• Malawi
• Madagascar

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Related Areas

• Anthropology (Ethnologie)
• Legal Anthropology

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• Common non-legal features

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Common Features

• Heterogeneous societies
• Rich in natural resources (gold, diamonds,
  copper)
• In need of clean and sufficient water
• HIV/Aids, Poverty, high birth rates
• Many lack education
• Natural disasters (flood, drought, epidemics)
• Political and social stability
• Genocide, dictatorship

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Translated to the Law

• Crime prevention
• Human Rights
• International Cooperation
• Economy
• in particular Foreign investment

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Is there an African Legal Tradition?

• Historical Development
• 15th century ________________________________
• 1492 ________________________________
• 19th century ________________________________
• 1860s ________________________________
• 1884/85 ________________________________
• 1914-1918 ________________________________
• 1939-1945 ________________________________
• 1950s/60s ________________________________
• 1977 ________________________________
• until 1994 ________________________________