Dr Johandri Wright
Dr. Johandri Wright is serving as a postdoctoral researcher at the Dullah Omar Institute in the SARChI Chair in Multilevel Government, Law and Development. She is a distinguished legal scholar and attorney, admitted to the High Court of South Africa on 21 October 2022. She holds a PhD in Law and Development from the NRF South African Research Chair: Cities, Law, and Environmental Sustainability (CLES), awarded in 2021, following her LLB (cum laude) and Professional LLM in Criminal Law and Procedure (cum laude).
Dr. Wright's academic and research pursuits are deeply rooted in public governance, with a particular focus on corruption, good governance, financial sustainability, and whistleblower protection. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges law with social sciences, politics, and economics, reflecting her passion for holistic and impactful legal research.
Over her academic career, Dr. Wright has been recognized for her outstanding academic performance, receiving numerous accolades, including Best LLB Student for two consecutive years and Best LLM Student in Criminal Law and Procedure. She has presented her work at prestigious national and international conferences, highlighting issues of corruption and municipal governance, and has authored several peer-reviewed publications, with five articles already published and two more accepted for publication.
In addition to her research, Dr. Wright has teaching and supervision experience, having lectured at North-West University and the University of the Western Cape. She also plays an active role in academic publishing, serving as a co-editor for the Local Government Bulletin and contributing to the Local Government Law Yearbook.
Her involvement in funded research projects spans topics such as public procurement, climate change mitigation, and municipal governance, showcasing her commitment to addressing critical issues within South Africa’s legal framework. Dr. Wright's expertise is frequently sought in media engagements, where she shares insights on whistleblower protection, corruption, and municipal governance.
Beyond academia, Dr. Wright is a dedicated member of various professional associations, including the International Golden Key.
Publications:
- Glasser MD and Wright J "Municipalities in Financial Distress: What can be done?" 2020 Journal of Law, Democracy and Development
- Wright J, Dube F and Du Plessis AA “Judicial Enforcement of Mandatory Provincial Interventions in Municipalities in South Africa” Zeitschrift Verfassung und Recht in Ubersee 2021
- Wright J "Implementing international law and policy to combat marine corruption: How can African coastal cities help?" Comparative and International Law Journal of Southern Africa 2023
- Wright J “Funding Climate Change Initiatives: Utilising the Law for Enhancing Financial Management in Cities” Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal 2024
- Wright J “Mediation and the Structural Interdict as Legal Options to Resolve Disputes between Municipalities and Their Communities” Journal of African Law 2024