Mabaeng Lenyai: Bridging Legal and Judicial Silos

WHEN WOMEN IN LAW LEAD

Perspectives. Positionalities. Politics

When Women in Law Lead is a blog series using storytelling and legal narratives to showcase how African women in law and leadership are transforming legal institutions and contributing to justice, the rule of law, and women’s empowerment. In a round of engaging questions, we delve deeper into the perspectives, positionalities and politics of women’s leadership in law.

IAWL: Who is Mabaeng Lenyai, and what inspires you?

MABAENG: I am a black woman born in South Africa who, through trials and tribulations, has learned a great deal. I've learned humility, and I've come to realise that the most important things are to serve others, be the very best version of myself, and learn from everyone I encounter – that's who I am. I have been motivated primarily by my parents and the senior individuals who have mentored me. I seize every possible moment as a teachable opportunity. What inspires me is witnessing everyone being treated in the manner I would like to be treated. I am inspired by justice. I believe that every person is on this earth for a purpose. Once you have discovered what your purpose is in life, then you will know what to do. 

IAWL: As the first, as the first woman president of the Law Society of South Africa, how long have you been involved with the organization?

MABAENG: The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) represents all the attorneys in South Africa. My involvement with the LSSA truly began when I took on leadership positions in the Black Lawyers Association (BLA). The Black Lawyers Association is part of the LSSA. I started as an ordinary member of the Black Lawyers Association, then became the chairperson of the Northwest branch of the BLA, and was subsequently elected to the National Executive Council of the BLA as head of events. I was later elected to serve as the General Secretary and ultimately became the Deputy President. Throughout this journey, I was co-opted by the Black Lawyers Association to serve at the Law Society of South Africa. I began as one of the editorial members of the journal, and I believe I served on that committee for about four years, if I'm not mistaken. While I was serving there, I was eventually elected as the first black woman president of the Law Society of South Africa. During my tenure, my two vice presidents were also women, marking the first time ever that women led the Law Society of South Africa.

IAWL:  What motivated you to take that role?

MABAENG: It was an opportunity for women to step up and fill positions. There has always been a shortage of women in leadership roles for various reasons. However, in my case, the opportunities were simply never available. It was a first for me. I was very scared. I don't want to deceive anyone, but I believe that when you are leading people, you don't have to be the very best. It's just that you are the one they have chosen to lead, and you don't lead alone; you lead with others. Being president of the LSSA exposed me to numerous other leadership opportunities. Suddenly, I was thrust into the Council of the SADC Lawyers Association. I was voted into the Council of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association. I was also appointed to the Council of the IBA and introduced to the Pan-African Lawyers Union. I met an amazing group of lawyers from across the entire African continent; all accomplished individuals who allowed me to work. 

IAWL: What would you classify as your topmost contributions, as the first woman leader to the Law Society in the country?

MABAENG: I believe my most significant contribution is that I see young ladies becoming more bold. They are claiming their space. Another aspect I feel I have contributed to is my social responsibility activities, particularly as the head of events at the LSSA, where I reached out to disadvantaged young children in underprivileged communities to motivate and encourage them. Of course, some of these are very young children from extremely impoverished areas. They lack shoes, jerseys, and similar items. I would contact the school principals to ascertain how many of their children are in need and what exactly they require. I believe my greatest achievement is my ability to truly listen and to humble myself. I find that a softer approach is more effective than a harder approach, as it yields better results. I apply this philosophy throughout my life, whether in my personal life or at work; it tends to be effective when people know they are genuinely being heard. They often stop being angry, focus on the same issues, and get the work done.

IAWL: What difference does having a woman at the topmost position in the organization make?

MABAENG: Chief Justice Maya was the one who actually interviewed me for the Judicial Service Council (JSC), and just seeing her there made me feel so relaxed and comfortable, as I could see someone who looks like me sitting there. The JSC experience was not very daunting for me. Her gentle presence made the entire experience considerably less intimidating; I could see that this was achievable. Women can succeed, and it has transformed the way most of us think, as we never imagined we would see the day that a woman would be appointed as chief justice in South Africa. Yet it has happened, she is performing wonderfully, and I have noticed the other senior judges rallying around her. 

IAWL: From your experience as the leader of the Law Society, what would you say are the major challenges for women leaders in the South African legal domain?

MABAENG: The major challenge is that women advocates are not often given enough briefs, and most attorneys do not take women very seriously. The lack of political or legal motivation to make this happen is very apparent. There has been a perception that women are only given briefs related to family matters, for instance. Women are not given briefs on competition matters, for example, or more corporate and commercial issues. Sometimes, women are limited in the types of work they can undertake. 

IAWL: What is your advice for young women in the profession?

MABAENG: There are numerous platforms available for marketing one's skills, and those who engage in this are finding success because, as I say, all you need to do is raise your hand and make others aware of your legal expertise. Several senior attorneys are keen to assist. You will not succeed if you've isolated yourself with your seven degrees while no one is aware of them. Therefore, you need to raise your hand. You must go on Facebook or any other platform and showcase your profile so that people can get to know you. Once they do, they will approach you. But if no one knows about you, how will they come to you?

IAWL: From the challenges you encountered as a woman leader, what would be your advice and recommendation to other women ascending to leadership positions?

MABAENG: Drawing from my own experience, challenges will always be present, but they must not define you. You should use your challenges as a stepping stone and learn from them. Challenges build character in you as a leader. What I've realised is that being a leader comes with burdens: the burden of ensuring that tasks are accomplished and the burden of convincing naysayers to get back on track. As a leader, you cannot afford to dwell on feelings of sadness or anger. Those naysayers are also yours to lead; they are yours to guide back, to see your vision, and to assist you in bringing that vision to fruition. You must learn from your challenges and rise above them. You must not bend. You must continue to rise.