MHI’s Journey of Growth and Excellence

MHI HISTORY

Maswanganyi Hlapolosa Inc. (“MHI”) is a South African law firm with a reputable footprint across four strategic locations: Sandton, Pretoria and Pietermaritzburg thus enabling the firm to serve clients across various jurisdictions while remaining responsive to both urban and regional legal needs.

The firm was founded by Mr Zondi Maswanganyi (Chairman) and Mr Maatla Hlapolosa (Managing Director) who possess more than forty-one (41) years of combined post-admission legal experience across a broad spectrum of legal disciplines.

MHI was birthed out of a shared vision to build a firm that not only delivers legal excellence but also actively contributes to transformation within the legal profession which is evidenced by the milestones that have been achieved in recent years.

MHI has grown exceptionally through leadership expansion and the establishment of meaningful partnerships ultimately reflecting the firm’s unwavering commitment to fostering an environment of excellence, transformation and a client-centred legal practice.

WELCOMING NEW DIRECTORS AND NEW LEADERSHIP

A significant highlight of 2025 had been the expansion of our leadership structure. The firm now proudly operates with four active Directors, each spearheading their respective departments, namely, Litigation, Labour and Employment Law and Commercial Law and Projects whilst contributing to the firm’s strategic direction.

At MHI, the core values of the firm are embedded in its culture and the appointment of additional Directors reflects MHI’s belief in recognising internal talent, creating leadership opportunities, and building a sustainable institution rooted in merit and growth.

We remain firmly committed to nurturing young professionals and addressing broader socio-economic challenges, particularly unemployment and skills development. The appointment of

additional Directors is both a reflection of the firm’s growth and a reaffirmation of its values. Leadership development at MHI is not incidental; it is intentional and central to MHI’s identity.

INVESTING IN ASSOCIATES

MHI has been instrumental in shaping a youthful and dynamic team of lawyers by harnessing the potential of its current Candidate Attorneys through retention. The Directors have provided a quality vocational training programme by bridging the gap between academics and the profession whilst effectively empowering the Candidate Attorneys to transition into capable and competent attorneys.

MHI has actively supported the continuing legal education and professional development of the Candidate Attorneys demonstrating its commitment to the growth and advancement of MHI.

To date, three MHI Candidate Attorneys have successfully completed their Practical Vocational Training (PVT) and are now awaiting admission as attorneys, while one Candidate Attorney is set to complete her training in March.

MHI has appointed Melusi Khubeka as an Associate who will play a pivotal role in supporting the Candidate Attorneys and strengthening the delivery of effective legal services to our valuable clients. He will oversee case preparation, review legal drafts and ensure procedural compliance in litigation, corporate, commercial and labour matters. He will also assist Principals in mentoring Candidate Attorneys, provide technical guidance on complex files and contribute to quality assurance across all rotations. Beyond internal support, Melusi will liaise with external stakeholders, participate in client consultations and help drive operational efficiency through improved workflows.

The milestone reflects MHI’s commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring that its trainees are well-prepared for professional practice.

APPOINTMENT OF CANDIDATE ATTORNEYS

MHI is proud to announce the appointment of seven (7) Candidate Attorneys under its six‑year strategic collaboration with the National Empowerment Fund. The partnership, formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement, is designed to empower and professionally develop

aspiring attorneys from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing them with structured Practical Vocational Training (PVT), mentorship, and financial support.

The newly appointed Candidate Attorneys are:

• Ronewa Manngwe

• Akhona Dakana

• Bridget Nkadimeng

• Zinhle Masimula

• Mbalenhle Mwelase

• Simphiwe Ndebele

• Kurhula Shikwambana

The Candidate Attorneys will be fully integrated into MHI’s operations, undertaking a broad range of responsibilities designed to build their professional competence. Over the course of their twenty-four (24) month PVT contracts, they will rotate systematically MHI’s across four core practice areas, namely, Corporate and Commercial Law, Labour and Employment Law, Litigation and General Advisory and Conveyancing and Property Law.

Each Candidate Attorney will be mentored by Principals and senior associates, ensuring compliance with the Legal Practice Act and gain exposure to governance, compliance and legal advisory work.

The initiative reflects MHI’s broader commitment to advancing transformation and capacity building in the legal sector, while reinforcing its dedication to excellence, professional integrity and high‑quality legal service delivery.

MHI has had a successful 2025 ultimately cementing our position in the legal sector. We hosted our first Excellence Awards, wherein our newly appointed Associate and Candidate Attorneys were a part of, to showcase the vision of our Directors, which is rooted in building an excellent black law firm. Our Directors remain deeply anchored in its founding principles of excellence, integrity, empowerment and service. The milestones achieved in 2025 represent not an endpoint, but a foundation for continued growth, impact and institutional resilience in the year 2026.

We look forward to servicing our growing list of clients and successfully completing the various projects we have in the pipeline and remain committed to providing tailored, practical solutions that strengthen governance and drive measurable impact.

E: info@mhi-law.co.za 

Tel: 010 497 6281