As we celebrate Women’s Month, the spotlight falls on women who are not only breaking barriers in their professions but are also using their knowledge and influence to create opportunities for others.

Palesa Matsheka, an admitted attorney, notary and conveyancer and the founder of PG Matsheka Incorporated, is restoring dignity in her community.

Her journey into law is one shaped by resilience, determination and a deep belief in the power of knowledge and ownership.

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Matsheka experienced the loss of both her parents at a young age. Rather than allowing the hardship of her childhood to define her limitations, she shares that those experiences became part of the foundation that shaped the woman and professional she is today.

“I was exposed to responsibility, resilience and independence much earlier than most children,” said Matsheka.

Her upbringing taught her the importance of perseverance, education, integrity and creating security and opportunity for oneself.

These values continue to influence how she leads, approaches challenges and serves her clients. For her, law was never simply about legislation, contracts or courtrooms.

She was drawn to the profession because of its ability to have a tangible impact on people’s lives.

She said as her studies progressed and she gained practical experience, she realised that she wanted to do more than understand the law. She wanted to use it to solve real-world problems and help people make informed decisions about their lives, businesses and assets.

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Her journey to becoming an attorney, notary and conveyancer was not without its challenges. The legal profession demands years of education, practical training, articles, professional examinations and the development of sound professional judgment.

For Matsheka, qualification represented more than professional titles.

“It represented years of preparation, discipline and a commitment to mastering areas of law in which clients place an enormous amount of trust in you.

There were certainly moments of uncertainty and periods when the demands of the profession tested me. However, becoming a good lawyer is a continuous process. You develop through experience, through difficult matters, through mistakes and through being willing to keep learning,” shares Matsheka.

Building a niche in property law

Matsheka fell in love with a niche; she developed a particular interest in property, conveyancing and notarial practice, areas she believes can play a significant role in helping people achieve financial security and build generational wealth. For her, property represents much more than an asset.

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“Property can represent security, economic participation, family wealth and legacy. In a country where land and property ownership carry significant historical and social importance, I believe legal professionals have an important role to play in ensuring that people understand their rights and are properly protected when making some of the biggest financial decisions of their lives,” explained Matsheka.

Her work in conveyancing allows her to combine technical legal expertise with her passion for ownership, wealth creation and empowerment. But her journey as a black woman building and leading her own law firm has also required her to navigate barriers that extend beyond the law itself.

She said there have been situations where assumptions have been made about her age, experience, capability or whether she belongs in certain professional spaces.

“There are spaces where you may still find yourself having to navigate assumptions about your age, experience, capability or even whether you belong in the room. Instead of allowing those challenges to define my professional journey, I have chosen to focus on excellence, credibility, service and building an institution that can stand on its own merit,” said Matsheka.

Entrepreneurship has also required her to develop skills beyond practising law, including business strategy, finance, people management, business development and leadership.

She acknowledges that running a legal practice comes with significant governance and compliance responsibilities, particularly for smaller firms that must meet increasingly sophisticated professional and regulatory requirements.

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For Matsheka, building a sustainable practice means understanding that legal excellence and business excellence must work hand in hand.

Making legal knowledge accessible

One of the issues closest to her heart is legal education, particularly for women and young people. She believes empowerment must go beyond inspirational messages.

“Rights are most powerful when people understand them and know how to exercise them,” said Matsheka.

Her focus includes helping women understand their legal position when it comes to property ownership, contracts, marriage, business, inheritance and the assets they are building.

She believes knowledge can fundamentally change the way women approach their financial futures.

“When a woman owns property, understands her rights and can make informed decisions about her assets, she is not only changing her own circumstances; she can potentially change the trajectory of her family for generations,” she said.

This philosophy reflects a broader vision for her practice, one where legal knowledge is not intimidating or reserved for courtrooms and legal professionals, but becomes a practical tool that ordinary people can use to protect themselves and what they have worked to build.

Creating a legacy

As Women’s Month celebrates the contribution of women across South Africa, Matsheka’s story highlights the importance of resilience, representation and creating opportunities for those who follow.

Her ambition extends beyond her own success. She wants her firm to represent possibility and back excellence, while creating an environment where young practitioners, particularly young black women, can see that professional excellence is within their reach.

“I want young practitioners, particularly young black women, to see that excellence is attainable. Success is not simply about achieving professional milestones. It is about understanding who you serve, why your work matters and the impact you want your practice to have,” said Matsheka.

Her message is clear: understand your rights, protect what you build and never underestimate the power of creating your own opportunities.