On 8 March 2022 – International Women’s Day – the Courtroom Mail named its ‘100 Influential Women Lawyers in Africa.’ The Courtroom Mail is a publication for lawyers that is well recognised and respected across the African continent.
Every year the Courtroom Mail calls for nominations for their list. Nominees are categorised as superheroes – distinguished lawyers above the age of 50 who are seen as role models, heroes – lawyers with exceptional achievements in different capacities, influencers – young lawyers showing leadership and challenging stereotypes, and disruptors – lawyers introducing innovations to the legal profession.
Cape Town based attorney, Rehana Khan Parker, was appointed as the chair of the selection panel. Parker boasts a legal career spanning 28 years as an attorney and includes judicial and quasi-judicial roles, most recently as an acting judge of the High Court of South Africa in the Western Cape. The selection panel was comprised of 30 panellists from across the continent. The list that emerged was made up of an inspiring group of women from sub-Saharan Africa who more than qualify as superheroes, heroes, influencers, and disruptors.
Molefe Dlepu Incorporated is proud to announce that our founder and executive director, Mrs Hlaleleni Kathleen Matolo-Dlepu, is featured on the prestigious list.
Mrs Dlepu founded Molefe Dlepu Incorporated with Judge Daisy Sekao Molefe in 1995. Judge Molefe left the firm to join the judiciary in 2013. Mrs Dlepu has been in the legal profession for 33 years and is an admitted attorney, conveyancer, and notary public.
Her career highlights also include her tenure as secretary general of the Black Lawyers’ Association, a council member of the Law Society of the Northern Provinces, co-chairperson of the Law Society of South Africa and the first chairperson of the Legal Practice Council.
Mrs Dlepu has truly earned her recognition as a superhero. She has been a champion for gender equality and transformation in the legal profession from the beginning of her career. She has supervised and admitted more than 30 women attorneys and continuously mentors young women attorneys. Her areas of practice include civil litigation, public and administrative law, family law, insolvency, compliance and regulatory law, conveyancing, and notarial practice.
Other notable South African women lawyers on the 2022 list include President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Justice Mandisa Maya and Constitutional Court judge, Justice Zukisa Tshiqi, and Deputy Judge President of the Limpopo Division of the High Court, Judge Fikile Mokgohloa.
To view the list of the Courtroom Mail 100, visit https://www.courtroommail.com/courtroom-mail-100-africas-influential-female-lawyers-2022/
