As my director, Mr Mohamed Shafie Ameermia often says, “There is nothing extraordinary about human rights, it is about human wrongs.” Those words, though tinged with irony, have always reminded me that behind every human rights case lies a story of injustice, resilience, and the need for determined legal advocacy.
My legal journey began when I graduated with my LLB from the University of South Africa in 2016. In 2017, eager to put my knowledge into practice, I volunteered at the Divorce Help Desk for ProBono.Org at the Johannesburg Family Court, while simultaneously attending the School for Legal Practice. This was my first hands-on exposure to the deeply personal challenges faced by individuals navigating the justice system. The work was not only about law, it was about dignity, empathy, and finding solutions where hope seemed faint.
That same year, I joined ProBono.Org as an intern in the OCAY (One Child a Year) project, under the mentorship of the highly experienced Advocate Steenhuisen. She not only taught me the law, she taught me resilience, precision, and the art of standing firm in the face of adversity. Her guidance shaped my work ethic and sharpened my advocacy skills, especially in sensitive child protection and refugee matters.
While working, I successfully passed all my Attorney Admission exams. Soon after, I moved to Coetzee Attorneys, where I began my two-year articles of clerkship. Starting this chapter of my career at an older age, and as a non-national, came with its share of challenges, from navigating cultural nuances to proving myself in a fast-paced legal environment. But these challenges became my greatest teachers. At Coetzee Attorneys, I gained invaluable experience in litigation strategy, client consultation, drafting court pleadings, managing property transfers, and negotiating settlements. I learned that meticulous preparation, clear communication, and persistence often make the difference between success and failure in legal practice.
In 2021, I further expanded my professional capabilities by successfully completing the Conveyancing and Notary Public examinations. My attention to detail and commitment to accuracy saw me retained at Coetzee Attorneys beyond my articles. During this time, I honed my skills in property law, contractual drafting, commercial transactions, and compliance matters, an experience that would later prove indispensable.
In 2024, I returned to ProBono.Org, this time as a Legal Consultant, better equipped with both technical legal expertise and the professional maturity gained from years in practice. My work now blends my passion for access to justice with the ability to deliver practical, high-quality legal services to those who need them most.
As a Consultant at ProBono.Org, my work has played a pivotal role in ensuring undocumented children and children in need of care and protection access justice and legal identity. Between March 2024 and April 2025, our project successfully assisted 507 children, many from the poorest and most vulnerable background, to navigate complex administrative and legal barriers. Through strategic case management, mediation, collaboration with key stakeholders, and dedicated advocacy, we enabled these children to secure recognition, protection, and the opportunity to live in dignity, freedom, and equality. This impact reflects ProBono.Org’s profound commitment to restoring hope and empowering communities.
In the same year, I concluded my Master’s degree in Corporate Law, which deepened my understanding of corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, financial compliance, and the regulatory frameworks that shape the business world. This advanced study enhanced my ability to navigate complex commercial matters and strengthened my analytical and advisory skills, a significant complement to my litigation and human rights work.
Recently, with the encouragement and support of many key players on my journey, I was officially admitted as an attorney. This milestone is not just a professional achievement, it is a testament to the belief that giving up is never an option, that age is never a barrier, and that one’s origin should never be an excuse to abandon one’s passion.
I am deeply grateful to Advocate Elsabe Steenhuisen, Mr Mohamed Shafie Ameermia, Mr Jaco Coetzee, Ms Annerie Coetzee, and the entire ProBono.Org family. Each of you has played a part in shaping my professional path, and I carry forward the lessons, encouragement, and opportunities you have given me.
As Nelson Mandela once said: “It always seems impossible until it is done.” My journey stands as proof that the law is not simply about statutes and cases, it is about people, persistence, and the belief that even amidst “human wrongs,” there is always room to work for what is right.
