Businesswoman urges women to shine

Before the lockdown, Antoinette Swanepoel has been featured in the Advertiser regularly for her role in the East Rand Business Women organisation.

Swanepoel is not only the chairperson of the oragnisation, but she is one of the directors for a prominent law firm in Boksburg called Malherbe Rigg and Ranwell (MRR).

Although she has succeeded to build a name for herself in the law industry, she has managed to stay humble and respectable to her colleagues and friends.

Her perseverance and determination led her to being appointed as the first woman to lead the law firm.

The firm has a 126-year history and has been rated the top law firm in Ekurhuleni for the past 15 years.

“Being a director of a great firm such as MRR is both a privilege and a responsibility. I am fortunate to be supported by excellent and competent partners and staff that rely on my ability and integrity to perform the functions required of me,” Swanepoel said.

She said her position allows her to assist others and make a difference in their lives, as well as providing a platform to advance the opportunities of other women.

She highlighted that when she was appointed as director, it was made clear to her that her appointment was earned based on her fellow directors beliefs that her directorship would be an asset to the firm.

Through her career she has learned to understand people and the humility to know that people have similar aspirations and face similar challenges.

I have learnt that even in a situation of conflict, which an attorney faces on a daily basis, to regulate what I say, so as to not unnecessarily cause hurt or impinge on another’s dignity.

“As the renowned writer Bryce Courtney once said, ‘sometimes the slightest things change the directions of our lives, the merest breath of a circumstance, a random moment that connects like a meteorite striking the earth. Lives have swiveled and changed direction on the strength of a chance remark,” she said.

Where it blossomed

Swanepoel grew up in Boksburg and she matriculated at Dr EG Jansen in 1990. She then proceeded to study law at the University of Pretoria.

She completed her BLC degree (Baccalaureus Legum Civilium) in 1993 and LLB degree (Baccalaureus Legum) in 1995.

She was admitted as an attorney and conveyancer in 1998 and as a notary public in 2004.

She was further appointed as a fee assessor for the Law Society of the Northern Province, now the Legal Practice Council, in 2008.

The 48-year-old said while growing up life was uncomplicated and but most enjoyable. ” I had a great upbringing which encouraged self-esteem and a belief that I could achieve whatever I set out to do. I think that being a woman and having an inbred nurturing side, I am able to balance my career, which is important to me, with a compassion for others. I am conscious of the struggles of others and try to be of assistance whenever the opportunity presents itself,” she added.

She now lives in Benoni, is married to Hermanus and is a proud mother to two sons, Hendro (20) and Mickey (18).

When asked how she balances work and her family she said when you work, work hard and when you play, play hard.

At the beginning of a professional career to learn to juggle all the balls and keep them in the air at all times is something which comes with time.

“It is important to create and maintain a balance between all the various responsibilities – work, family, personal relationships and commitments to church and organisations. Each commitment is important and is entitled to the attention it deserves. I am fortunate to have a loving and supportive family, who understand that there are times when, at their expense, I have to spend long hours at work,” she said.

East Rand Business Women

She was introduced to the East Rand Business Women by her friend, Susan Noppe, who invited her to one of their meetings about eight years ago.

” I enjoyed the interaction with the women from day one. The next year, I was elected onto the committee, served as a member of the committee for four years and then as the chairperson for three years,” Swanepoel said.

In 2016, she received he prestigious award of East Rand Businesswoman of the Year.

Her message to women this Women’s Month: “You can do it. You are neither superior nor inferior to men. However, you do have feminine traits which give you an advantage use them do not lose your innate sense of caring and compassion,” Swanepoel said.

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