Pumla Mncwango Inc — creating a legacy as company celebrates 10th anniversary
East London attorney Pumla Mncwango has set about forging a niche business market in the property law industry through sheer courage and determination. This year she proudly celebrates her 10th anniversary as Pumla Mncwango Inc Attorneys, Notaries and Conveyancers.
“We’re growing. The plan five years ago was to grow the business and we are achieving that. In 2020 we bought the building next door to us as we planned to move some of the employees so as to have ample space to work in.
“Due to Covid-19 and the financial uncertainty we decided to lease it out. In 2022 we bought the one on the other side, so as to establish the conveyancing department on the new premises as our staff complement has grown in the past five years from five to 13 employees.
“We have been focusing on growing the conveyancing department which is our core business. In light of the fact that we are moving some employees to the next building, we would be looking at employing more candidate attorneys in the near future. In the past year we were unable to take on any candidate attorneys due to limited office space but once we finalise the registration of the office we will have an opportunity of transferring skills by employing more candidate attorneys.
“Last time I checked there was less than 10 percent of black conveyancers in the entire country. It has always been my passion to impart skills to people from previously disadvantaged groups, because someone gave me an opportunity to enter the conveyancing space, so I must also help others penetrate this market.
“Most of my staff I trained myself so I’m passionate about training. I am proud to say that this firm has in the past few years produced three qualified and practicing conveyancers.”
Pumla was also excited that her firm is now on a number of bank panels compared to only one panel five years ago.
“With Covid-19 every business owner was anxious about the business stability and how Covid-19 would affect businesses, but due to the interest rate cuts and people buying new homes we saw our firm thriving under the circumstances thanks to the banks who supported us during that devastating time.
“The conveyancing industry is tough, we believe there is a lot that still needs to be done to empower the previously marginalised groups.
“The current status quo needs to change to ensure inclusivity. There is a move by the banks to see real transformation and it is our duty to ensure it’s not only lip service.
“One would ask, how have you survived on your own for all these years and the answer is simple it depends who is in your corner. I’ve seen the hand of God moving in this firm.
“There were times when I would knock on doors and nothing happened for years and when I was on the verge of giving up the doors started opening. I’m someone who believes in prayer, I don’t know how I would’ve gotten to this point without God.”
She added that it was difficult being on your own in business.
“I do consult with God. What we’ve reaped over the years is a direct result of grace and wisdom obtained through prayer. It’s also important to remember that if something doesn’t happen when you want, it means it’s not God’s time and His time is always perfect so you have to patiently wait for it.
“I also have my daughter working with me now. I planted a seed and that legacy is going to continue. We are three generations of lawyers. My dad was a magistrate and when I was still a young girl, I used to go to court and wait for him as he would be busy with his cases.
“I believe in justice, from a young age I knew that there was a role for me to play in the legal field. In my first years of practice I decided the courtroom wasn’t for me, although I do still go to court sometimes.”
Pumla’s interest in the property industry goes all the way back to her childhood.
“I grew up with my mom and five sisters. My mom didn’t have her own property up until a few years before retirement. She would always rent small spaces in the back of someone’s yard and every time we settled in and made friends we would have to move again.
“I said to myself I don’t like this and I was determined to buy my own property when I started working. Therefore my background set a tone for my interest in conveyancing.”
Pumla is no stranger to hard work.
“While doing my articles in Durban I had an interest in gaining exposure to conveyancing, but the company I was doing articles with didn’t specialise in it. I spoke to my boss and asked if I could work my lunch hours at another company that did conveyancing so as to get exposure and he agreed. I volunteered in that firm for about six months.
“I then secured employment with the Road Accident Fund at their East London branch.
“Whilst still employed by the Fund, I sat for both the conveyancing and notarial exams and I passed both. After two years, I decided to go back to private practice.
“Initially I was in a partnership from 2006 until 2011 and decided to venture on my own from 2012. That’s when I opened Pumla Mncwango Inc Attorneys, Notaries and Conveyancers and now we are celebrating our 10th anniversary.”
Pumla said she was looking forward to the next 10 years.
“It’s a new dawn. I don’t know what it holds for me as a person and business, but I’m so looking forward to it.”