Keep up to date with South African employment law and ensure fair staff management
8 weeks, excluding
orientation
7–12 hours per week,
entirely online
Weekly modules,
flexible learning
1
Current knowledge of South Africa’s main labour statutes and related legal procedures.
2
The expertise to promote fair employment practices and reduce your company’s risk of legal non-compliance.
3
Practical skills you can draw on to handle dismissals, disciplinary procedures, and staff disputes.
4
Proof of your familiarity with the latest local labour laws in the form of a digital certificate from Africa’s leading university.1
1 QS Top Universities (2023)
Over the duration of this online short course, you’ll work through the following modules:
MODULE 1 Introduction to Labour Law
An introduction to labour law in South Africa.
MODULE 2 The Employment Contract, Basic Conditions of Employment and Termination of Employment
Learn about the individual employment contract.
MODULE 3 Workplace Discipline and Automatically Unfair Dismissals
Learn about workplace discipline and what constitutes an unfair dismissal.
MODULE 4 Dismissal for Misconduct and Poor Performance or Incapacity
Learn about dismissal for misconduct and poor performance or incapacity.
MODULE 5 Dismissal for Operational Requirements, Closures, Mergers and Sale of Business
Learn about dismissal for operational requirements, closures, mergers and sale of business.
MODULE 6 Unfair Labour Practice and Employment Equity
Learn about unfair labour practice and employment equity.
MODULE 7 An Introduction to Collective Labour Law and Industrial Action
An introduction to collective labour law and industrial action in South Africa.
MODULE 8 Dispute Resolutions and CCMA Procedures
Learn about dispute resolution and the various courts and councils that are involved.
Please note that module titles and their contents are subject to change during course development.
Lindani Mkhwanazi
Lecturer, Department of Commercial Law, UCT
Mkhwanazi is a lecturer and PhD candidate in the Department of Commercial Law, where he teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. He holds a Master of Laws degree specialising in labour law from the University of Cape Town (UCT) and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Western Cape. In 2019, he gained invaluable experience conducting legal research for full-time and acting Judges at the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. Mkhwanazi’s research interests include labour law, social security law, and aspects of company law. His PhD research focuses on extending socioeconomic protection and reducing insecurity for workers in South Africa's formal economy. Over the years, he has taught courses such as Law for Engineers, Business Law I, Labour Law, and Individual Employment Law. He currently convenes the Labour Law course for non-law students at UCT.
“I’ve found that many managers have the skills to manage a group of people or departments, but aren’t familiar with legal labour processes, especially regarding disciplinary procedures. That’s the reason why I took this course. My intention is to be the voice for the voiceless.”
Goolam Fakier, Past Student
This UCT online short course is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter, part of edX. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:
Gain verifiable and relevant competencies and earn invaluable recognition from an international selection of universities and institutions, entirely online and in your own time.
Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.
Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.