Group Management

 MANAGEMENT COMITTEE

Adv. Nikelo Bangisi

Adv. A M Mthembu

Adv. Nikelo Bangisi


Background: 

Studied at the University of Zululand. Worked for Sasol, Anglo American Corporation, and Gauteng Department of Human Settlements


Academic Qualifications: 

B.Jur LL.B


Fields of Expertise:


Date of Admission:

31/10/2002


Number of Years in Practice:

12 years


Associations: 

LPC


Contact Details:

📞  012  223 8000

📞  011 223 8124

📞  082 725 4423

✉️  nikelo@rsabar.com

Adv. A M Mthembu

Background

Aaron Msawenkosi Mtembu (Musa Mtembu) matriculated in 1999. After that, he completed a Diploma in Business Management in 2001 at BMT College. In 2003, he enrolled for a degree in business administration at CIDA City Campus but still needs to complete it. In 2004, he registered at Wits University for a BA Law Degree. He obtained his LLB degree from the same university. During his student life, Adv Mtembu was a student activist and held various positions as a student leader. 

Academic Qualifications


Fields of Expertise

Reportable Cases

Unreportable Cases (Online)

 

Date of Admission

2 March 2011

 

Contact Details

(t) +2711 223 8000 / 8018

(f)    +2711 223 8004

(m)  +2773 152 1319

(e)    advmusamtembu@rsabar.com


Adv. I A M Semenya (SC)

(ex officio)

Adv A P Bezuidenhout

(ex officio)

Adv. I A M Semenya 

(SC)

(ex officio)

Background

Adv Semenya attended Tseki Senior Secondary School: Matriculated in 1979, having completed the junior certificate at Tshepo Themba School in the Vaal and proceeded to Witsieshoek to pursue Senior Mathematics and Physical Science which was not offered at the time in the Vaal. Participated in conceivably all sporting activities at school and student political discourses of the time.

University of the North: Completed a bachelor's degree, B. Juris, in 1983. The university is situated in the Northern Province, one of the few universities offering black people tertiary education. 

University of Natal (Durban): Completed a Bachelor of Laws Degree, LLB, in 1985. Participated in the student activities of the time, including the resistance to introducing the tricameral parliament. 

Johannesburg Bar Council: Served pupillage with Adv.
B Spilg SC in 1986 and passed to be admitted to practice at the Johannesburg Bar and represented a battery of various individuals and groups of individuals in what we call terrorism trial—represented various political figures in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Chaired a commission of inquiry investigating the procurement of immovable property by the provincial government and acted as arbitrator in various commercial disputes. 

Nova University (Florida): Obtained a Diploma in Trial Advocacy and, over the years, has offered lectures in the techniques of trial litigations to over 500 participants throughout the length and breadth of the Republic. Institutions that received this training included practical law schools, universities, public defenders, private practitioners, etc. 

International Development Law Institute: The institute is based in Rome and offers a variety of programs that enable NGOs, CBOs, and practitioners to refine their negotiation skills. Obtained a Diploma in Negotiating International Agreements.

Black Lawyers Association Legal Education Centre: Appointed the National Executive Director in 1996 and instrumental in various NGO matters. Lobbying the individuals to take up judicial appointments and another government appointment in furtherance of skills transfer in governance. Training lawyers and control of the placement of candidate attorneys and pupils.

A committed member of Bar Counsel (WLD).

Appointed to the University of Witwatersrand Local Faculty Board.

Various other engagements: Advising government officials in the various departments through submissions for draft legislation.
He participated in various televised interviews on law-related matters. He was involved with community organizations in civil disciplines. Litigation of commercial and constitutional cases.

Authorship: Co-authored a book in the draft “Constitution for a Democratic South Africa.” This was in anticipation of the Codesa negotiations. On the instruction of Swapo, also part of a team under the leadership of Justice Mahomed to draw a “Namibian Constitution” that was presented to the Namibian Constitutional Assembly. Was appointed in terms of Section 71 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 200 of 1993, as one of the seven panels of experts to oversee compliance with the constitutional principles.

Senior Counsel Status: Conferred the status of Senior Counsel in 1998. Gauteng Gambling Board (Deputy Chairperson) in 1986. Appointed Chairperson of the appeals committee of the Micro Finance Regulatory Council. Admitted as a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. Acting Judge of the High Court. Acting Judge of the Labour Court. Assistant Commissioner in the Ellis Park Stampede – 2001. Vice-Chairman – Society of Advocates (WLD) 2001/2002. Chairman of the Johannesburg Bar Council (2004/2005/2006).

Honorary Doctorate: Vaal University of Technology Doctoris Technologies 20th March 2008

Vice Chairman: General Council of the Bar (GCB) (2009/2012)

Deputy Chairman: General Council of the Bar (GCB) (July 2012/2014)

Contact Details

(t) +2711 223 8000

(t) +2711 223 2041

(f) +2786 579 3673

(m)   +2784 701 0385

(e) advsemenyasc@law.co.za

Adv A P Bezuidenhout

(ex officio)

Background

André Bezuidenhout graduated from the University of Potchefstroom with B Juris and LLB degrees in 1986 and 1988. He served as a Prosecutor and a Magistrate in the Department of Justice between 1984 and 1988. André joined the Johannesburg Bar in 1989 and since then practiced in the Johannesburg Bar. He is also an admitted Advocate in Lesotho. 

Fields of Expertise

André has a large practice covering civil and criminal law in the High Courts, Regional Courts, and Magistrate’s Courts of South Africa. He is recognized for his skills in complex commercial crime matters. Over the years, he acted for prominent private and corporate taxpayers. He has also acted for the South African Revenue Service in numerous matters. 

Recent Practice History

André has appeared in Courts of law in South Africa and Lesotho for the past twenty-eight years. 

Previous Experience

André has a wide variety of experience in commercial, administrative, and criminal law. He frequently engages with government organizations at all levels. He is known as a skilled negotiator with an ability to resolve matters. 

André is acknowledged as a person who contributes widely to transforming the Advocate’s profession. He is a founding member of the Pitje Transformation Initiative.

Contact Details

(t) +2711 223 8000

(t) +2711 223 8035

(f) +2711 223 8011

(m)   +2782 650 7773

(e) apbez@rsabar.com


“A vision without action is just a dream. 

Action without vision just passes the time.” 

– Nelson Mandela