By Kgomotso Ramotsho
Herbert Smith Freehills legal practitioner, Plaxedes Makura, has been recognised in the HERoes Women Future Leaders list, for her contribution for progressing gender equality and diversity. This was announced in London on 9 September 2021. Ms Makura, a manager in the firm’s Alternative Legal Services (ALT) team, based in in Johannesburg, has been recognised for the fourth consecutive year.
In a statement by Herbert Smith Freehills, it stated that the global lists recognise female leaders who inspire and drive gender equality within their organisations and professions. The statement added that the HERoes Women Role Model Lists 2021 was supported by Yahoo Finance and INvolve, a global organisation championing diversity and inclusion in business and working across ethnic minority, LGBT+ and gender diversity.
The firm pointed out that Ms Makura is an experienced disputes legal practitioner in the ALT team. That she was integrally involved in the Johannesburg ALT team in 2017, which forms part of a market-leading, innovative global of 350 legal practitioners, technologists and legal analysts operating across 11 international locations. Ms Makura also serves on the Pro Bono Committee and Regional Race Champions Committee. The firm added that Ms Makura was instrumental in setting up the Social, Diversity, Corporate Social Responsibility and Mental Health Committees. She manages complex cross-jurisdictional international disputes projects, which responsibilities include the recruitment of legal analysts as part of pioneering International Legal Development Programmes. Outside her work Ms Makura has raised funds for a breast cancer patients who could not afford treatment and for a biokinetics student to be able to register for her second year of studies.
Ms Makura said: ‘I am proud to work for a firm that places such a great emphasis on diversity, inclusivity and equality in the workplace. My position within the management team has enabled me to play an active role in establishing committees and networks that strive to make the firm welcoming and inclusive, not only for women but for all employees. My philosophy is to foster an inclusive business culture that champions individual uniqueness.’
Head of ALT at Herbert Smith Freehills Johannesburg, Vanessa Kingsmill, said she was delighted to see Ms Makura recognised as a future leader and a role model for women across business and the legal profession. ‘I take pride in the work we are doing at Herbert Smith Freehills to build an ever-growing inclusive culture and her contribution to that has been significant.’
Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.
