Legal experts deliberate on issues affecting sector

Legal experts affiliated to Polokwane Legal Practitioners Association convened at a hospitality venue in the city on Friday for the annual general meeting that was aimed at deliberating on issues affecting the sector.
Association secretary Solly Mmakola indicated that this was the last meeting for the year to reflect on what they have managed to achieve and what was lacking behind. He said members highlighted some of the burning issues as a lack of efficiency at the Polokwane High Court and also a shortage of support from municipalities, government departments and state entities. He added that there was a need for more judges to be appointed at the Polokwane High Court for cases to be dealt with urgently.
Mmakola was confident that the meeting was fruitful and reiterated that whatever that was highlighted will be assessed at dealt with. He was also delighted that Polokwane Executive Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng took time off her busy schedule to address the meeting.
When she took to the podium, Nkadimeng stressed that the municipality only has three women-owned law firms on the database for provision of legal advisory services.
She added that they do allocate high profile cases to those within the database and the work that is done by these women-owned legal firms was commendable.
“I am advised that the database will be advertised during the first quarter of the new year when the current one expires hence I encourage female legal practitioners to apply. Government is the biggest litigator and one of the biggest spender in this regard. Ordinarily, it does not make sense that in a profession where black practitioners are under-represented, they basically struggle to make a success of their practices. The argument is when legal services is required, we do not go to black attorney firms and that when the services of advocates is required, black advocates are considered last,” Nkadimeng remarked.
She further said she had read that a lot of black practitioners are at a point where they don’t get sufficient work to meet their costs of business and at some point may be forced to leave the practice and venture into other financial generating prospects or look for a job elsewhere. Nkadimeng concluded by saying there is a need to develop and nurture more young women role models and leaders who can serve as an inspiration to others.

Story/photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za