By Thabo Monyela
TZANEEN- Pulane Matatanya (29) is the founder and director of Matatanya Attorneys Incorporated, a law firm based in Tzaneen.
Matatanya is an ardent divorce attorney and graduate from the University of Limpopo, who set off her career as a legal intern at the commission for Gender Equality in 2015.
The budding lawyer said she chose to be a lawyer in order to carry out her great-grandfather’s legacy who was a renowned interpreter at then Duiwelskloof Court, who died at an early age.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial environment assisting her mother with selling bunny chows also known as”Kota” in Mankweng, Matatanya wanted to become an economist. However, she crossed the floor to pursue law after passing matric with a distinction in English and her dexterity in debate.
The outspoken Kgapane-born lawyer founded Matatanya Attorneys in 2020 with a tremendous five years’ experience as a counsel. Matatanya Attorneys specializes in Criminal law, Civil law, Commercial law, RAF matters, and Wills & Estate.
” I decided to become my boss in search of new challenges and confront the stigma that we as women cannot successfully establish ourselves in the male-dominated industry,” the divorce attorney said.
The brave young woman attorney stood firm on her grounds of success and went toe to toe with various well-established male-owned law firms to prove that women are as competent as men in the industry.
She deems herself as a decorated divorce attorney with vast knowledge in divorce and civil matters. Her in-depth knowledge of the basics and dynamics of divorce and maintenance has captured the public imagination in the male-dominated industry.
Matatanya said being a black woman lawyer bears a lot of concerns as some clients would question your capabilities and experience. However, she always downplays them with her determination and dedication in her line of work.
She further said she enjoys being her boss and the entrepreneurial skills acquired from her mother’s “Kota” supermarket are helping her to hold herself accountable for every action.
For any legal matters be sure to visit Matatanya attorneys in Tzaneen, Cnr Skirving, and Agatha Street in CRS Mall or contact them on 072 307 8366.
