I had the pleasure of interviewing this amazing and bubbly woman in law. Wela is published writer with an LLB from the University of Cape Town and an LLM from Duke Law School.
In 2013, the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers awarded Wela an internship at the Kolodny Law Group in Beverly Hills, California after she wrote a winning essay on surrogacy law.
In 2015/2016, she served as a clerk at the Constitutional Court and worked in Justice Chris Jafta’s chambers, before going on to pursue her LLM at Duke Law School.
Having deferred her Articles of Clerkship for two years, Wela then went on to serve them at ENSAfrica, Africa’s largest law firm and one of the top five law firms in South Africa.
FWIL:
What inspired you to study law?
WM:
I always thought that I was going to study Journalism because of my love for reading and penchant for starting newsletters at every school I attended! But I grew up around lawyers and developed a passion for public speaking, as well as ambitions to “change the world”. Law turned out to be the better choice for me.
FWIL:
Why did you choose to defer serving you Articles after obtaining your LLB?
You went on to pursue your LLM instead. Was this an easy decision?
WM:
The first time that I deferred my articles was definitely a no-brainer. I Initially did so that I could clerk at the Constitutional Court. It was a huge and rare opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I could always do articles later. The second time I deferred articles was not an easy decision to take because I was anxious about potentially jeopardising my contract. However, I felt that my education would not be complete without a masters degree, especially because there was debate in the legal profession at the time suggesting that the four-year LLB program is insufficient to prepare graduates for practice. Once more, I reasoned that I could do articles later. It turned out to be the best decision for me and I’ve never looked back.
FWIL:
To anyone thinking about pursuing an LLM, what is your best advice?
WM:
First, if at all possible, I think that ideally one should pursue an LLM as a full-time student. That allows you the time to draw all that you can from the experience. Second, an LLM is not only an academic opportunity, but also one for networking. At this stage, you have chosen a specialisation that will directly benefit you as a professional and you need to make the most of it. Take every opportunity to connect with your peers, your faculty, and use all of the resources provided by your school. Last, there are limited funding opportunities for postgraduate law students. Start looking for them as early as possible, and don’t be afraid to lean on your network for information and resources.
FWIL:
You are the founder of Legal Eagles SA, what motivated you to start this platform?
WM:
So, Legal Eagles SA is primarily a platform for the sharing of resources for young lawyers. I love the law, and I am passionate about helping others. This was a great way for me to pursue both interests while making a positive difference to my immediate community.
FWIL:
As a black woman in law, have you experienced gender and race-related bias? Please tell us about the challenges, if any, that you have faced.
WM:
I’m very fortunate in that I have never faced overt racism or sexism from any of the institutions in which I have placed my trust ‒ school, work or otherwise. However, there have been instances of exclusion, microaggressions, and incidents of impropriety from individuals every step of the way. Everyone’s experience, priorities and personality varies. I think that the important thing is to develop a “thick skin” quickly, fiercely prioritise your mental health, and to find a balance between when to stand up for yourself and what to “let go”.
FWIL:
What does being an alpha female mean to you and would you describe yourself as one?
WM:
I think that being an alpha female is basically having leadership qualities. These include courage, diplomacy and pragmatism. I’m still a work in progress, but I’d like to think so!
FWIL:
Do you identify as a feminist? (Why/why not)
WM:
Definitely. At its crux, to be a feminist is to subscribe to the belief that women and men should enjoy equal rights. By that reasoning, everyone should be a feminist.
FWIL:
What does women empowerment mean to you?
WM:
Mentorship, access to opportunities, equal treatment.
FWIL:
The journey of a legal professional is not always easy. What are some of the lessons you have learned along the way and how have they shaped your outlook on life?
WM:
I have learned to be proactive about my own development. An important lesson for me thus far has been to create benchmarks for every few months of my life. That is, it’s not enough to have a five-year plan. It has made me a lot more intentional about exactly what skills and knowledge I’m acquiring within certain time periods and how they are directly related to my goals.
FWIL:
What is the best advice you would give to the modern career woman?
WM:
Be confident about yourself and your capabilities. Women often suffer from Imposter Syndrome and forget that they’re in the room because they’re just as capable as anyone else. Actively work on your confidence: it’ll make you a better communicator, you’ll spot more opportunities and take on more responsibilities ‒ all qualities we need to be successful.
FWIL:
What is your best career self-care tip?
WM:
Manage expectations clearly. We all have twenty-four hours in a day and we all need a minimum amount of time to carry out each task diligently. However, people often fall into the trap of taking on too much, perhaps out of a fear of failure or adverse judgement from others. And this comes at the risk of compromised work quality, tardiness and a host of other issues. Do what you can, well.
FWIL:
Have you ever had to bounce back from a career mistake? If yes, what happened and how did you bounce back?
WM:
Not really. I think the important thing to remember is that all mistakes are opportunities for growth, and the best you can do is to acknowledge your error and try to fix it. Everyone makes mistakes and no one can credibly fault you if you conduct yourself with transparency and integrity, always.
FWIL:
What recent change/amendment in the law has caught your attention? (Do you agree with the change? Why/why not)
WM:
The most recent that comes to mind is Tsambo v Sengadi and it has an outcome with which I agree. There, the Supreme Court of Appeal considered whether the handing over of the bride is a custom determinative of the validity of a customary law marriage. The court held that while there may not have been a formal ceremonial handing over, the groom’s family behaved in a way that indicated their acceptance of her as a bride. This, despite the fact the union was not registered with the Department of Home Affairs. I find judgments like these very encouraging because they reaffirm the South African courts’ commitment to justice, to applying the law substantively and in a way that is fair and relevant to ordinary citizens.
FWIL:
How do you meet other professionals and what are some of your effective networking skills?
WM:
I make sure to use social media to keep in touch with everyone with whom I have studied and worked over the years. For example, my LLM class still has an active Facebook group and some of the Constitutional Court clerks in my cohort have an active Whatsapp group. LinkedIn is a great way to connect with new people and stay in touch with acquaintances. I think the most effective way to network is to connect on a human level. You have to be genuinely interested in people and the work that they are doing, and not just network for the sake of it. People can easily pick up on that and generally dislike feeling used.
FWIL:
What books have you read that have greatly influenced your life?
WM:
“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg. It was a gift from a family friend for my 21st birthday and I make sure to read it every year. It’s a much-needed reminder to always believe in myself and put my hand up for every opportunity.
FWIL:
What’s a quote that you live by? Your mantra
WM:
“Each one, teach one”. It reminds me to always take the time to offer help and support to others, whether in my personal or professional life. I believe that one’s true value is in reaching back and pulling forward those who come after them, just as those who came before us did and continue to do for us.
FWIL:
What is your take on mentorship and are you open to mentoring young lawyers or law students?
WM:
I think that mentorship is valuable and there is no such thing as “having too much help”. I am definitely open to mentoring.
FWIL:
How can people reach out to you? (social media handles)
WM:
The fastest way is to send me a direct message on Instagram @Legal_Eagles_SA or @Official_Nomazeezee and then I’ll direct them to my email.