The Black Lawyers Association (BLA) Gauteng Branch hosted a High Tea event on 8 August 2026, celebrating excellence, leadership, and sisterhood among accomplished women leaders from the legal, academic, political, and judicial spheres. The event commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Women’s March to the Union Buildings, serving as a tribute to trailblazers and a call to future generations of women to lead with courage, integrity, and purpose.
Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi delivered the keynote address, emphasizing that women today stand on the shoulders of the 20,000 women who marched to the Union Buildings. She noted that the women’s 30 minutes of silence at the Union Buildings symbolized dignified defiance, which is essential for women to confront stereotypes and maintain their dignity in the face of adversity.
Unity and Support among Women
Mmamoloko Kubayi stressed the importance of unity among women, pointing out that it means not expecting all opportunities to come to one person. She encouraged women to recognize and support one another, understanding that individual success is often a result of support from others. Kubayi added that when one woman is in a position of power, she has the responsibility to uplift other women, and that mentorship and development of others is a responsibility of every individual at every level of leadership.
During a panel discussion, speakers shared their personal journeys as women in the legal profession, highlighting the challenges and hardships they faced, as well as the support they received from fellow women. Professor Puleng LenkaBula, UNISA Vice-Chancellor, spoke about the challenges she faced in her first month at the university, including a letter from the Department of Higher Education stating that the university had not complied with its enrolment requirements.
Professor LenkaBula emphasized the importance of remembering one’s purpose and not giving up in the face of rejection. She noted that it is essential to invest in the success of transformation and optimize opportunities to improve democracy and the quality of life of citizens. Kgomotso Morake added that the conversations about the older generation should help young people understand what the environment looked like and what battles were fought.
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Charlene Louw, Executive Director of the Law Society of South Africa, said that there were women who spoke about her in rooms where she was not present, creating opportunities for her to become a board chair, a board member and, now, the Executive Director of the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA).
Challenges Facing Women in the Legal Profession
The event highlighted the importance of unity, support, and sponsorship among women in the legal profession, emphasizing that these factors can play a significant role in helping women overcome the challenges they face and achieve success in their careers. As Mmamoloko Kubayi noted, when women support one another, they can achieve great things and create a more equitable and just society.
In the context of the legal profession, sponsorship can take many forms, from providing guidance and advice to using one’s influence to open doors and create opportunities. By becoming sponsors for one another, women can help to break down the barriers that prevent them from achieving their full potential and create a more level playing field.
As the event came to a close, attendees were encouraged to take the lessons they had learned and apply them in their own lives, becoming sponsors and supporters for one another and working together to create a more just and equitable society. The Black Lawyers Association Gauteng Branch’s High Tea event served as a powerful reminder of the importance of unity, support, and sponsorship among women, and the impact that these factors can have on their careers and lives.
