Legal practitioner and founder of BR Rangata Attorneys, Baitseng Rangata said her law firm intends to be a training home for young legal practitioners.

In our March issue for our Women in Law feature article, our news reporter, Kgomotso Ramotsho, speaks to legal practitioner and founder of the BR Rangata Attorneys, Baitseng Rangata. Ms Rangata is a 48-year-old, legal practitioner, practising in Gauteng. Ms Rangata was born in Limpopo, Ga-Mphahlele, which falls under the Capricorn District. She is the fifth of eight children of Hlabirwa and Morweshadi Mello. Ms Rangata is blessed with a loving husband and three children, aged 26, 21 and 17. Ms Rangata said she grew up in a family, which is grounded on Christian roots, with her father as the founder and Pastor of the Church of Christ.

Ms Rangata added that growing up, she was taught that sharing is caring. ‘I grew up not only with my seven other siblings, but with many other children that my parents adopted. At any given time, we had more than ten children in my family home that lived with us. I learned that your brothers or sisters are not only those you are born with. What stood out for me was the nature and extent that love and support from parents can push you to achieve the unthinkable,’ Ms Rangata said.

Kgomotso Ramotsho (KR): What influenced your decision to become a legal practitioner?

Baitseng Rangata (BR): Growing up, I had keen interest in justice and fairness. A family friend who was very close to my parents, advocate Theledi, made a habit of having monthly sessions with me, and our talks were dominated by what I wanted to do for a living. We spoke about whether a career should be guided by financial interest or passion. I had a view – as early as during my grade 11 – that my career will be passion driven. I knew that when I completed my matric that I would be a future lawyer. Choosing a career for myself was not an issue, the issue for me was how far I would go and what impact I would make in the legal fraternity. I wanted to make a mark in my career, to do something meaningful for the poor.

KR: You were a Co-chairperson at one of South Africa’s (SA’s) leading law firms, a trail-blazer. How did you achieve that and how long have you been practising law?

BR: I joined Maponya Inc in April 2000 as a professional assistant, making my years of practice almost 22 years in two months. I progressed through the ranks to being a director a few years down the line. Few years later, I served as a managing director of the firm for a five-year period and progressed to being appointed Co-chairperson. This recognition meant so much for me and afforded me an opportunity to pave a direction for the firm. Being able to lead and support the business in building a more sustainable practice. At the heart of my responsibility was the duty to impart knowledge, support young legal practitioners in their journey of acquiring experience and training in the field of law. I also used this position to fine tune social development, where I formed a bursary scheme that offered financial support to students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Maponya Inc partnered with the North-West University and offered full study bursaries to five students each year, which covered all financial needs, including boarding and lodging.

I have recently resigned from Maponya Inc and started my own law firm, under the name BR Rangata Attorneys in Pretoria. I intend to grow the firm to be a home for the training of young legal practitioners and to continue providing opportunities to legal practitioners to serve articles and offer mentorship to university students. The firm is more focused in making contributions to social development in the nearer communities and empower as many as possible. The key focus of our mission is to bring justice to the people. BR Rangata Attorneys is centred on delivering professional, diligent, solution orientated services to the people. We are driven by passion.

KR: Not only are you a leader in your law firm, but we have seen you become the Chairperson of Gauteng Branch of the Black Lawyers Association (BLA), the Secretary General, and later a Deputy President of that organisation. How important was it or how did it make you feel that there were people in that organisation, who chose you to be in the forefront and lead, especially as a woman?

BR: I am member of the BLA and in good standing. The BLA is an organisation, at the forefront of promoting the rights of black practitioners. I was privileged to be elected a Chairperson of this organisation. I also served as the General Secretary of the organisation, as well as the Deputy President under the leadership of the late BLA President Lutendo Benedict Sigogo (May his soul rest in peace). It is an honour to be elected to serve in these positions in the organisation. The BLA is the most recognised organisation representing the previously disadvantaged, advocating for empowerment and impacting positively towards social transformation. It is an honour to be at the forefront of advocating the rights of the less privileged, serving the members of the profession.

KR: It is obviously important that one needs to work hard to achieve their goals, what would you say to women who feel entitled, because they were historically disadvantaged, that automatically they should be handed a space at the big table?

BR: I am a firm believer that professionals should occupy positions because they have proven themselves to be worthy of the recognition, and not because of gender or race. Women are no exception to this belief. Women are quite capable of performing on par with their male counterparts. The stereotype of considering people for certain positions or expectation to be treated differently because of gender or race is seriously discouraged. Women should be respected and afforded opportunities because of their capability and strengths. Women are in no way handicapped and do not require any special treatment. Equally women should take themselves seriously, go out there and grab what they are entitled to because they deserve it and are very capable.

Listening to Justice Maya during her interview for the position of Chief Justice on 2 February 2022, responding to the question as to whether South Africa is ready for a woman Chief Justice, assured me that we are standing on the shoulders of very strong women. She was justifiably annoyed. She responded that:

‘That question annoys a lot of women … . Why are we asking about women as if we are this homogenous, this special group that needs to be done a favour. … It’s not a proper question to ask. South Africa has always been ready for a female Chief Justice. There have always been capable women.’

KR: How do you stay grounded even when you are such a powerhouse?

BR: I am an ordinary black woman, with a lot of energy and zest to serve. I do not believe that I am a powerhouse. I believe that I am favoured by God’s grace to be able to reach people and make a different in a small way that I can. Every assignment I put my hands on, I take seriously and I give my full attention to the assignment. I believe that clients are directed to us because they have trust in us. So, when rendering professional service, we should do so with respect and dedication.

KR: Who is your female inspiration in the Legal Profession and why?

BR: I am inspired by Justice Yvonne Mokgoro. Looking at her background, her humble beginnings, how she has progressed through the ranks. She never stopped learning. She has dedicated her time to serving and is very passionate about transferring skills. Her love for children is obvious and admirable. Obviously thinking back about S v Makwanyane and Another 1995 (6) BCLR 665 (CC), wherein the court forbade death sentence on any prisoner, Justice Mokgoro played a critical role in the jurisprudence. She continues to inspire a lot of women in the legal profession. Of course, Justice Maya inspires me for her frankness, her work speaks volumes.

KR: Besides running your law firm, which other positions are you currently in, including sitting on boards etcetera?

BR: I served as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee of the Legal Practice Fidelity Fund and I served on the Board of SAFLII. I am currently not sitting on any board. I am looking forward to being involved in various structures and making a positive contribution.

KR: Any aspiration of perhaps becoming a judge one day and in which court and why?

BR: I have expressed my interest in availing myself to becoming a judge. Being a judge is a calling and requires dedication and respect for the rule of law. I am confident that I have what it takes to be a member of the judiciary. I have been afforded opportunities by the Judge President of the Gauteng Division to act, for which I am truly grateful, and I have acted on a number of occasions. When the time is right, I will not hesitate to avail myself and apply for a permanent position.

KR: What can we expect from you, in your quest to deliver access to justice in the coming years?

BR: I am on a journey to making justice accessible to the public to entrench access to socio-economic rights as a founding feature of our democracy. Through my firm BR Rangata Attorneys, I will be serving communities, I intend to work closely with organisations like Probono.Org and others to deliver such services. BR Rangata Attorneys is imbued in the values of talent development and systematic transfer of skills thereto making it possible for young lawyers to unleash their potential.

Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2022 (March) DR 19.