He graduated from the University of Pretoria with the degrees of BLC and LLB. He obtained LLM degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand and Yale University, respectively, and a LLD from University of Pretoria in 1992. His thesis was on South African Mineral law in terms of the Doctrine of Rights. Prior to moving to Australia he was for many years Professor and Head of the Department of Private law at the University of the North and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.