#CareerFocus With Adv. Mafu Ntamo Legal Counsel At Saab Grintek Defence -

1. Tell us a bit about yourself?

Born and bred in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape, I studied what was then called an undergraduate law qualification (B. Juris) through the University of Fort Hare. I completed an LLB through the University of the Western Cape, and received my admission as an advocate in 2018 then subsequently finished my LLM through the University of Pretoria in 2019.

I have worked for the Western Cape Department of Economic Affairs and Tourism (Liquor Board) and a leading financial services group in South Africa as a Client Services Manager.

In my personal space, I am a mother to two beautiful young adults.

2. What work do you do?

I am a Legal Counsel and Compliance Officer at Saab Grintek Defence.

3. How long have you been in the industry?

I have been in the industry for a total of 23 years.

4. Has your work always been your passion?

Yes, even though I took a break from the legal field for six years to pursue my business interests, I was always a lawyer first.

5. Tell us why?

Everything in life is impacted by law. There are so many fields within the legal space that there are no limits to what one can do. Law is always relevant, evolving and dynamic. It stays interesting and challenging to the mind.

6. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?

It takes hard work, good ethics and an objective mind. I am proud to say the legal field is no longer male-dominated and there are no barriers to entry specifically for women. Female legal practitioners occupy very prominent roles in certain key positions in South Africa and it keeps improving. I hope that that will one day be the case for judiciary.

7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?

Women have a big role to play in the legal field. My advice is that they must apply the legal principles without fear or favour but not forgetting to be compassionate, fair, and objective. Being a woman is not a weakness, it is a strength, therefore, let your softer side show from time to time.