Charity, Sibongile, Nadia in Africa’s top
µµ The aim of the top 100 female lawyers project is to create role models for students studying Law at universities and that young female lawyer graduate who just qualified to practice.”
MBABANE ± Three of Eswatini¶s female lawyers have made it into the list of top 100 women making strides in the legal profession across the African continent. Charity Simelane, Sibongile =ondo and 1adia :right have made it into the Courtroom Mail 100 SHID for the year 202 and this year¶s ratings have been aligned to the commemoration of International :omen¶s Day in celebration of female lawyers of Sub-Saharan Africa descent, who founded or co-founded their Law firms or any other organisation making significant impact in the legal profession.
SHID stands for Super Heroes, Heroes, Influencers and Disruptors.
This year, the celebration of this category of women, who were last showcased about three years ago, is with the inclusion of founders co-founders of organisations significantly impacting the profession and chartering new frontiers.
The list of lawyers is aimed at inspiring lawyers, especially the younger and aspiring females across sub-Saharan Africa.
Simelane, who is an admitted attorney of the High Court of Eswatini, is founder of Charity Simelane Attorneys from 201 to date.
She specialises mainly in family law, administration estates, corporate law and land disputes, among others.
She is the current Secretary General of the Law Society of Swa]iland (LSS) and a current council member of the Southern African Development Community Lawyers Association (SADCLA).
Her previous positions include being a council member of the LSS and vice president.
She has also been involved in working on a child rights Trust founded by her then principal Mangaliso 1komond]e, namely IndluyakaGogo Child Rights Trust, which provides legal representation to the indigent women and children.
Having worked as a journalist previously, she works with a team of attorneys who create awareness on specific Acts of Parliament and legal aspects through articles published on the national newspaper weekly.
Having obtained her LL% Degree in 2006, she has created a work environment which is largely women-oriented and is rooted in defending women rights and helping young girls cement their respective place in society.
She is engaged in a number of volunteer work in her church and community. She is also engaged in advocacy for social justice.
Reacting to this, Simelane said she was humbled and honoured by the recognition.
³Such recognitions allow us to strive to create a society where every female aspiring attorney knows that her possibilities know no bounds in the Eswatini legal profession,´ she said.
PRACTICING
Meanwhile, =ondi, who is the founding partner of SC =21DI Attorneys, a black female-owned Law firm in Eswatini, is part of a firm that has only female practising attorneys as well as support staff.
The firm was established in 2016 with specialised focus in conveyancing and property law.
2ther areas of the law practised include labour law, insurance and retirement funds, corporate and company law as well as personal injury and recoveries and debt collection.
=ondi was admitted as an attorney in Eswatini in 2002 and admitted as a conveyancer in 200 .
:ith over 20 years post-admission e[perience in corporate business and private practice, she is also a renowned human resource consultant.
She has served as a part-time commissioner at the Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) and holds a %.A Law, LL% and M%L degrees.
=ondi has served in the following capacities in Eswatini Chairperson of the HR Committee at Eswatini 1ational Housing %oard, an Independent Director at Ingcamu (Pty) Ltd, a Commissioner at the -udicial Service Commission and an e[ecutive member of the LSS.
She is also a member of the SADC Lawyers Association. She is said to be passionate about empowering the girl child and uses her Human Capital Consultancy as a platform to mentor and guide girls and young women about their careers and life in general.
=ondi could also only e[press humbleness and honour at her making it into the list.
³All glory should be to God who makes all things possible. Every girl child should know that she matters,´ she said.
:right, on the other hand, has been described as a driven but humble lady who has had a long-standing commitment to becoming an e[cellent lawyer.
CAREER
From a tender age, she reportedly had a desire to aid others, motivating her to finish her law studies and launch her career in later years.
She acTuired her %achelor of Laws and School of Law certifications in South Africa in 2012 and began her job as a candidate attorney.
Having completed her years of studying and working as a professional assistant, she was awarded the role of attorney in South Africa, and became a part of Rorcih :olmarans Luderit]¶ s team.
She successfully completed her conveyancing and notarial practice courses and was awarded the Certificate of Admission for both, in South Africa.