Durban
Pearl Khumalo has been appointed as the Regional Manager in the Durban office with effect from 1 October 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and currently oversees the organisation’s labour, refugee, family, and gender-based violence practice areas. Before joining ProBono.Org, she served as a Legal Administration Clerk in the Office of the Chief Justice and as a Legal Intern at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury.
Her longstanding passion for the non-profit sector has continued to shape her professional journey. She has contributed to various non-profit organisations and initiatives focused on advancing women’s rights, providing career guidance to young people, and promoting human rights. She particularly enjoys community outreach programmes involving older persons, as well as planning community events. We wish her all the best in her new role.
Cape Town
Mikhail Petersen has been appointed as the Regional Manager in the Cape Town office, also from 1 October 2026.
Mikhail holds a Bachelor of Social Science in Politics & Economic History (UCT) as well as an LLB (UCT). He was also admitted as an Attorney in 2024. Mikhail believes in the law as a tool for societal change and its ability to result in the realisation of the rights of the marginalised.
Prior to joining ProBono.Org he has held positions at The Institute for Justice & Reconciliation, Ndifuna Ukwazi, The Legal Resources Centre and Gender Dynamix.
Before his appointment as Regional Manager he occupied role of Staff Attorneyin the Cape Town office.
“I am truly honoured to be bestowed with the honour of managing the Cape Town office of such an amazing organisation. I cannot wait to assist in aiding the organisation’s mission of promoting access to justice in the Western Cape”.
Welcome Mikhail.
Congratulations to our new Interns
Johannesburg
Siyasanga Nxokweni Siyasanga is an LLB graduate and a postgraduate student in the Department of Public, Constitutional and International Law at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Her research focuses on Space Law, with a particular interest in protecting the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) from satellite interference through South Africa’s constitutional and international law framework.
Siyasanga is passionate about public law interest and the role of the legal profession in advancing social justice. Beyond her interest in litigation and constitutional law, Siyasanga aspire to contribute to the development of space law in South Africa, including shaping legislation and policy to strengthen the country’s legal and regulatory framework for space-related activities while supporting the growth of the space law as an academic discipline.
“I am an LLB graduate with a passion for the legal profession and a strong interest in making a meaningful difference through my work. My experience as a Legal Intern at ProBono.org provided me with valuable exposure to client consultations, legal research, drafting case memoranda and summaries, court proceedings, and mediation.”
Michelle Rapewana
My main work focuses on protecting and promoting children’s rights by assisting families with parental plans, maintenance applications, guardianship matters, and other issues affecting children’s well-being. I help families navigate legal processes to ensure that children’s needs and best interests are prioritised. I also assist individuals without official documentation with ID applications, helping them take steps towards obtaining legal identity and accessing essential services.
Through this work, I aim to improve access to justice, strengthen the protection of vulnerable individuals, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families.
