In 2013 the NRF awarded the Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg a Research Chair in International Law on the basis of research capacity that already existed in the Faculty in this field. Prof Hennie Strydom, professor in public international law, was then appointed to the Chair. The relevance of the Chair’s research programme must be seen in the context of the post 1994 developments when South Africa rejoined the international community of states in various ways. The country has ratified a large number of multilateral treaties and has adopted national implementation legislation in several instances. Under the 1996 Constitution, the courts are also obliged to consider international law when interpreting the Bill of Rights. South Africa is a member of the African Union and plays an important part in the affairs of the Union, notably in peace-keeping operations in many parts of Africa and as a member of the Security Council of the United Nations it actively engages in matters affecting international peace and security.