Driven by a desire to help people, Khanyisa Monqo left her hometown of East London (now KuGompo City) in the Eastern Cape to pursue her law degree at the University of the Western Cape. Today, she is an associate at Herold Gie Attorneys, specialising in employment law.
Khanyisa Monqo, associate at Herold Gie Attorneys
"Being able to advocate for people who may not be able to do so themselves, or who aren't familiar with the processes available to them, is what sparked my interest in law," Monqo says.
"Employment law, which was my first love in practice... gives me exactly that sense of purpose. I really enjoy being able to help people navigate situations that can have a very real impact on their lives."
This Women's Month, Monqo discusses meaningful change in the workplace, women who inspire, and the importance of intervention when protecting the vulnerable.
What do you view as women’s “superpowers” in courtroom or at the negotiating table?
Something women are brilliant at doing is reading people, their strengths, their weaknesses and sometimes what they aren't saying.
Once you've clocked the type of person you're dealing with on the other side, you're already at an advantage because you're 10 steps ahead. Now I've given away my negotiating secret!
What are some of the hurdles women in the industry still face and what can be done to overcome them?
Women are still sometimes overlooked or underestimated in the legal profession, particularly in environments that have historically been male dominated. There can still be assumptions about a woman's capability, authority or ability to handle particularly demanding matters.
I do think we are seeing meaningful change. Women are increasingly occupying senior positions, leading major matters and sitting on the Bench - not simply to fill a number but because of their ability, expertise and contribution to the profession.
I think overcoming these hurdles requires continued representation, mentorship and creating environments where women are given the same opportunities to prove themselves. We have certainly progressed but there is still work to be done.
If you could create one law that would improve the lives of women, what would it be?
I would create a law that treats violence against women not only as an individual crime, but as a societal issue. I would want a system where women don't have to repeatedly prove that they are in danger before they are taken seriously.
Prevention, protection and accountability. For me, it would be about creating a system that intervenes before violence escalates, properly protects women who are at risk, and ensures that there are meaningful consequences for perpetrators.
Who are your female legal icons and why?
My mother would be the first. She broke our family out of poverty, despite the circumstances she was faced with. The circumstances were not ideal but she dared to dream and more importantly, she acted on those dreams at a time when doing so would have been incredibly difficult and in many ways, unheard of. She taught me that your circumstances don't have to determine the life you ultimately create for yourself.
My second would be Judge Kate Savage. Her judgments, particularly in relation to sexual harassment in the workplace, have made her one of my favourite female legal icons. I really admire the way her work has contributed to developing the law in an area that has such a significant impact on women.
What is your Women's Month message to young girls who have an interest in law?
Be prepared to work hard and most importantly, be prepared to constantly learn. Law is a profession where you never really stop learning, whether it's from senior attorneys, your colleagues or from keeping up with developments in the law.
As a student, prepare for your lectures, ask questions when you don't understand something and don't be afraid to admit when you don't know something. There is nothing wrong with not knowing; what's important is being willing to learn.
And finally, believe in yourself. You will be fine. If your heart is genuinely in it, that passion will keep you motivated to become better.
