Breaking ground for women everywhere

POLOKWANE – Mashabane grew up in Lissa Ga-Kgare, Bochum, now known as Senwabarwana, and matriculated from Seripa Senior Secondary School.

“I started my career in law when I joined the Pretoria Justice Centre as a Candidate Attorney after studying LLB at the then University of the North, now University of Limpopo. I moved to Mpumalanga to further my career as a Manager Legal Services, Department of Finance. I joined a local law firm, Silinda Mokoena and Associates as a director, and later opened my own law firm, Moloto-Mashabane Attorneys, which I operated until my recent appointment in Polokwane.”

She says her role as the director is to manage the core activities of the school as well as managing the stakeholder relations on behalf of the school in the province. She also assists students in securing placement at law firms as candidate attorneys after they complete their studies. She has a seat on boards of the School of Law at both the University of Venda and University of Limpopo.

“I personally believe a woman is better suited to the position I occupy as I am like a mother to my team and students. I lead with care, assertiveness and dignity without losing my feminine touch. The personal qualities needed to be successful in my work are to value people, respect them, have integrity and good work ethics. Success is not achieved by chance, but through hard work. Study and serve and the universe shall reward you,” she says.

Mashabane says there are many memorable events over the years that she will treasure, some more special than others.

“Our school has two groups each semester, night and day. After the completion of each programme every semester we host a certification ceremony and it’s always honoured by high profile judges in the country.

“We hosted the Deputy Judge President, Phineas Mojapelo (South Gauteng High Court), Judge Thami Makhaya, and our very own Judge President of the Polokwane High Court, Ephraim Makgoba. Our social responsibility initiatives are always appreciated by the community.

“My favourite part of the work is when I do dialogue with the students to discuss the current cases going on in court like with the recent Oscar Pistorius case. I am always fascinated about how knowledgeable our young people are. The most difficult part is to see students who have completed the programme but still can’t pass their articles, it breaks my heart.”
“My advice to other women who want to venture into the industry is to work hard and to have a passion for the work. Maintaining good relationships is vital to everyone’s career and this industry is no different. Above all, God is the source of everything.”
maretha@nmgroup.co.za