Bonolo Thebe
Youth in Business & Entrepreneurship
Nominee's Province:
Free State
Age:
33
Project Name/Description:
Managing Director – Thebe Attorneys Inc.
Skewed briefing patterns by the government, lack of confidence in black firms by private companies, difficulties in accessing capital, inadequate practice management training and financial illiteracy are among the challenges facing black law firms. Despite the issues, black law firms have become job creators for young black lawyers and drivers of economic growth. This is according to Bonolo Thebe, managing director at Thebe Attorneys Incorporated, a fast-growing law firm based in Bloemfontein, Free State. The firm’s main areas of practice include civil litigation, criminal litigation, commercial law, property law as well personal injury claims. After completing his law studies at the University of the Free State, where he was also elected Student Representative Council vice-president, Thebe did his articles with Legal Aid South Africa. He later moved to the National Prosecuting Authority as a prosecutor, acquiring all the necessary knowledge for his own practice. “Establishing a stable firm, which is in its fifth year of existence, is the highlight of my legal journey. The firm currently employs five people. The direct contribution to the South African economy gives me great joy,” he says. Thebe serves in the Provincial Executive Committee of the Black Lawyers Association, the Investigating Committee of the Legal Practice Council in the Free State Province as well as the Free State Provincial Legal Practitioners Association. Furthermore, he’s a lecturer at the Law Society of South Africa’s school of legal practice.
