workplace rights

Women’s Month often arrives with the usual predictable words: strength, resilience, empowerment, leadership. All important. All true. But also, let’s be honest, sometimes repeated so often that they start sounding like the opening line of a corporate email nobody quite remembers approving. So, this Women’s Month, we are doing something slightly different. Instead of only speaking about women in the abstract, we are speaking to the women behind the work — the professionals who sit across from clients, solve problems, manage pressure, carry responsibility, and still somehow remember where they saw that sold-out item online for 30% less. Because women in law are not one-dimensional. They are not walking court files. They are not only titles, qualifications and practice areas. They are strategists, negotiators, listeners, mentors, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, food lovers, travellers, deal-finders, football fans, early risers and occasional TikTok researchers. And yes, they also know exactly when something needs to be put in writing. The legal backdrop: women’s rights are not a “nice idea” Before we get to the lighter side of this profile, it is worth remembering why Women’s Month still matters from a legal perspective. In South Africa, equality is not a motivational poster. It is a constitutional value and a legal right. The law recognises that dignity, equality and fair treatment are not extras that employers, businesses or institutions can offer when convenient. They form part of the framework that should shape how people are treated in workplaces, in business, in families and in society. In the workplace, this becomes especially important. Women should not have to earn respect twice: once by doing the work, and again by proving they deserve to be taken seriously while doing it. Yet many women still face assumptions about leadership, family responsibility, pregnancy, ambition, authority and confidence. Sometimes discrimination is obvious. Sometimes it arrives wearing a polite smile and using words like “culture fit”, “not the right time”, “too emotional”, “too assertive”, or “we just thought you might not want the opportunity”. The law does not fix every uncomfortable workplace moment automatically. But it does provide tools. Employees have rights. Employers have duties. Unfair discrimination, harassment, and unequal treatment are not just HR inconveniences — they can become legal issues. That is why preventative legal advice matters. Not only after a dispute has exploded. Not only when the resignation letter has already been typed. Not only when the WhatsApp screenshots are being forwarded with the words: “Can you believe this?” Good legal advice often works best before everything goes wrong. Why this profile matters When clients consult an attorney, they often arrive with more than a legal issue. They arrive with uncertainty, stress, deadlines, risk, conflict or the fear that they may make the wrong decision. The attorney’s role is not only to interpret the law. It is to help people understand their options, make informed choices and move through complicated moments with clarity. That is exactly why we asked Tasneem Mahomed to answer a few questions beyond the usual professional biography. Because sometimes the most important thing to know about a lawyer is not only what area of law they practise in. It is how they think, what they value, what they notice, and whether they understand that people need practical answers — not a lecture in Latin. So here is Tasneem, beyond the brief. Beyond the Brief: Tasneem Mahomed Why did you choose law? I’ve always been drawn to helping people find solutions. Law isn’t just about legislation, it’s about people. I love that every day brings a new challenge and an opportunity to guide someone through one of the biggest moments of their life. What inspires you? Resilient people. Women who quietly build incredible lives. Beautiful spaces. Great food. Travel. And the idea that you’re never too old to learn something new. What is your area of expertise? My practice focuses on conveyancing, civil litigation, labour law and notarial practice. I enjoy finding practical solutions to complicated problems — and I’m a firm believer that good legal advice can change someone’s future. One lesson you’ve learnt in practice? People may forget the legal jargon, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. The law is important, but empathy is unforgettable. One piece of advice for young women? Don’t wait for permission. Apply.Start.Speak up.Back yourself. The confidence you’re looking for usually comes after you’ve taken the leap. Law, empathy and the myth of the “cold” attorney There is a strange myth that legal professionals must be detached to be effective. Serious. Untouchable. Slightly intimidating. Preferably surrounded by heavy books and a facial expression that says, “I bill in six-minute units.” But the best legal work is rarely cold. It is focused, yes. Strategic, yes. Professional, absolutely. But cold? Not necessarily. Tasneem’s answer about empathy is important because clients often remember how they felt in the room. Did someone listen? Did someone explain? Did someone make the process feel manageable? Did someone give them enough clarity to breathe again? Legal outcomes matter. But the client experience matters too. This is particularly important for women seeking legal advice. Whether the issue is employment-related, property-related, family-related, commercial, contractual or personal, many women delay getting help because they worry they are “overreacting” or because they have been taught to first endure, smooth things over, wait it out or handle everything quietly. There is nothing dramatic about asking for advice early. Sometimes it is the most practical thing a person can do. Three things about Tasneem I became a lawyer because… I’ve always believed that knowledge is powerful — but using it to help someone else is even more powerful. The best advice I’ve ever received is… “Bloom wildly, even where you weren’t planted.” Life rarely goes exactly according to plan, but sometimes the unexpected places are where we grow the most. If I wasn’t a lawyer, I’d probably be… A chef or a journalist. One lets me tell stories.The other lets me feed people. Both make people happy in