Women Who Lead: giving women meaningful opportunities to lead high-impact matters

“We are intentional about sponsorship and mentorship; we strive to give women meaningful opportunities to lead high-impact matters, drive client relationships, and take on senior leadership roles,” says Safiyya Patel, who on 1 March 2025 became the first black female Managing Partner in the prestigious history of Webber Wentzel, a leading African law firm that traces its roots back to 1869 in the Eastern Cape.

“We also invest in flexible working arrangements and an inclusive culture where different leadership styles are valued. Representation matters, and we work to ensure that women see themselves reflected at every level of the firm.”

Safiyya, a commercial law, M&A and BEE transactions expert, took the baton from Sally Hutton, who led Webber Wentzel for a decade after shattering a glass ceiling for women in the South African profession as the first female Managing Partner of a major law firm. Hutton helped spearhead gender equity initiatives, establishing a Gender Strategy Working Group and formulating a multipronged gender strategy to address the high attrition rate of women in the more senior levels of the profession.

As one of a small but growing number of women to lead major African law firms, Safiyya is proud of the pioneering work Webber Wentzel has done, and continues to do, to create pathways for women to lead, not just in legal practice but in all areas across the firm. This includes the firm’s Fusion team, led by Aalia Manie, which brings together lawyers, engineers, project managers, operations and design specialists and others to drive innovation, and deliver integrated, client-focused solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible in the legal industry.

Each year, August is Women’s Month in South Africa, commemorating the milestone March of 20,000 women of all races on 9 August 1956 to protest Apartheid pass laws, and celebrating the strength and resilience of women and their contribution to society.

Over the past month we have shared a special ‘Women Who Lead’ series of features, interviews, and podcasts on Africa Legal, showcasing some of the outstanding women leaders at Webber Wentzel. Now those features, along with some additional material, are available to enjoy in a special Women Who Lead digital magazine.

Women Who Lead includes a feature interview with Safiyya Patel, discussing how to navigate modern times of rapid change and what differentiates a great leader from a great lawyer, and a feature interview with Head of Fusion Aalia Manie, discussing how technology is a tool, but people are the core of what they do.

There’s also a Q&A with four Webber Wentzel lawyers who’ve been promoted to salaried partner earlier this year, with Bianca Kuhn, Prianka Soni, Marissa Wessels, and Chevon Marupen-Shkaidy sharing their journeys and insights while answering questions about leadership and law. In another feature interview, Head of Pro Bono Ayanda Khumalo discusses the power and importance of pro bono, leading ground-breaking projects that have real impact, and helping ensure access to justice.

Members of Aalia and Ayanda’s teams share insights into leadership and mentoring, and in a special podcast episode, newly promoted equity partners Carryn Alexander, Kirsten Wolmarans, and Lumen Moolman chat about taking on new responsibilities, mentoring and ongoing learning, and their visions for the future of their practice.

You can read the full special digital magazine, Women Who Lead, here.