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CDH builds mentorship pipeline to grow women leaders in South African legal sector

Prime Highlights-

  • CDH COO Phetheni Nkuna says African law firms can grow women leaders by redesigning systems, cultures and evaluation frameworks.
  • CDH backs women in law through structured mentorship, sponsorship and succession planning, including the Women’s Property Network 2026 mentorship program.

Key Facts-

  • Women make up 42 percent of South Africa’s law professionals, the Law Society of South Africa reports.
  • McKinsey found gender diverse executive teams were 21 percent more likely to outperform peers on profitability.

Background-

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) Chief Operating Officer Phetheni Nkuna said law firms can open more doors for women by designing systems that help them succeed, going beyond simply offering a seat at the table. She said firms that want to stay competitive should build workplaces where women thrive through well-designed institutions, cultures and frameworks.

Women account for 42 percent of South Africa’s law professionals, according to the Law Society of South Africa. The International Bar Association’s 50:50 by 2030 study found 38 percent of women lawyers worldwide hold senior roles, which points to room for further progress.

Nkuna said Africa’s legal sector is changing fast, driven by cross-border expansion, technology and new ways of delivering services. She said this calls for leaders who can handle greater commercial and operational complexity while leading with conviction, clarity and purpose.

She said women leaders often mentor others, drive inclusion and create room for colleagues to grow, work that deserves more formal recognition and support. A 2023 UN Women report found women worldwide spend 2.8 more hours a day than men on unpaid care and domestic work. Nkuna said family life also teaches valuable lessons in leadership.

Research backs the business case. McKinsey found companies in the top quartile for gender diversity on executive teams were 21 percent more likely to outperform peers on EBIT margin. Later updates raised the likelihood of above-average profitability to 25 percent.

CDH supports women’s advancement through mentorship, sponsorship and long-term succession planning. The firm backs the Women’s Property Network Western Cape 2026 Mentorship Programme, which offers monthly engagements, feedback loops and quarterly group sessions. Its women-led Pro Bono and Human Rights practice also drives public interest litigation on women’s rights.

Nkuna said CDH aims to keep doors open for the next generation of legal professionals.