Unisa academic is first South African to obtain PhD in competition law

"He was also awarded the University of Pretoria’s Dean’s List of Merit in 2003,"

October 14, 2017

Thato Mahlangu 3 minutes read

A Unisa academic has become the first South African to obtain a PhD in competition law, according to the university.

Meet Dr Phumudzo Munyai, the first South African (Black or white) to obtain a PhD in Competition Law #BlackExcellence pic.twitter.com/MGnBqoEAQL

— Takalani Sioga (@TakalaniSioga) October 10, 2017

Pretorian Phumudzo Munyai, a senior lecturer in competition, trademarks and international trade law at the university’s department of mercantile law, said he was absolutely proud of his achievement.

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“Most academics take pride in their contribution to the body of knowledge in their field and to society at large. I am also the same. But the joy and excitement are perhaps greater when the research or contribution is ground-breaking or has some milestone attached to it. I am someone who, by nature, is not inclined to dwell on an achievement, because there is always more to be done,” he said.

Competition law promotes or seeks to maintain market competition by regulating anti-competitive conduct by companies.

He said he had his family, who have been supportive, to thank for the support they gave him while he pursued the degree.

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Munyai was raised by a single mother, a domestic worker.

“I appreciate what my achievement means to my family, especially my mother,” he said.

ON AIR: @MotsoenengBill is joined by #DrPhumudzoMunyai & @tyronemaseko unpacking Competition Law. #TheLawReport #KayaFMTalk pic.twitter.com/neXHsTQxUj

— On the street. On the air. (@KayaOnAir) October 4, 2017

Asked why he chose competition law as his speciality, Munyai said even though he loved the law, he was unashamedly a closet economist.

“Competition law offers a good combination of both as it is 45% law and 55% economics. Working as a lecturer and researcher in competition law, I have never felt, at any point, that I have had to ‘make it through my day’. Instead, I enjoy what I do and I am deeply immersed in it,” he said.

#DrPhumudzoMunyai : When I completed my PhD I obtained 23 distinctions because I wanted to do so well and inspire others. #TheLawReport

— On the street. On the air. (@KayaOnAir) September 27, 2017

Munyai said he was proud to advance his university’s objective of shaping futures – his and the university’s.

Munyai said universities thrived on the quality of the work of its academics – teaching, research and community engagement.

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“I hope my achievement can position Unisa as a leader in competition law. Personally, I also hope that I can count on the university’s support in developing a fully-fledged competition law master’s degree, which we currently don’t have, and establishing a competition law unit, both of which will help position Unisa as a leader in this field.”

Congrats #DrPhumudzoMunyai https://t.co/MbQoE6GmQ8

— Mulalo Shandukani (@Laliphiphidi) September 28, 2017

Munyai said competition policy and the law were assuming central importance in the government’s plans for economic development.

“It is the only field of law identified in the National Development Plan 2030 as ‘central’ to our country’s economic development. Universities like Unisa must be able to respond appropriately by providing training and producing research that responds to this important national need,” he suggests.

Dr Phumudzo Munyai from @unisa currently discussing insider trading and prohibited conduct in relation to the Competition Act #SALTC17

— Juta (@Juta_ZA) January 20, 2017

He attributed his success and achievement to people like his mentor and motivator Professor Roshana Kelbrick.

“I would like to thank my promoter, Prof Kelbrick, whose dedication and commitment to my work and vision was not only outstanding but perhaps also exemplary. The calibre of postgraduate supervision influences a university’s success rate in postgraduate throughput and the quality of the research report itself. It is in this sense that the impending retirement of Professor Kelbrick this year will be a great loss for Unisa,” he said.

Competition Commission of SA’s acting deputy commissioner Hardin Ratshisusu expressed his excitement at Munyai’s achievement.

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“His current position as a university academic is of great strategic significance for the propaganda of competition law knowledge and skills in South Africa, and it will enable him to supervise more master’s and doctoral students in competition law.”

As a student, Munyai received various awards and was recognised for outstanding performance by his various universities including the University of Venda’s vice-chancellor’s merit award for two years running in 2001 and 2002.

Phumudzo Munyai from @unisa is the first person in SA to get a Doctoral Degree (LLD) in Law of Competition. Remember the name! @Powerfm987

— iKomanisi☭ (@uNtandoSindane) October 11, 2017

“He was also awarded the University of Pretoria’s dean’s list of merit in 2003,” said Unisa.

The university said despite Munyai’s young age, he was published extensively in the fields of competition, consumer and international trade laws.

“He has played an important role in the development of the body of knowledge in his main area of expertise, which is competition law. His PhD thesis has been described as a ‘seminal work’ in abuse of dominance law. He has also advised foreign governments and has spoken at various international forums across the globe.”