The Black Conveyancers Association (BCA) celebrated their 20th anniversary on 24 October 2025, where the organisation also revealed their new logo. The event kicked off with a summit in the morning, followed by a gala dinner in the evening. BCA members were joined by members of sister organisations, such as the Black Lawyers Association (BLA), and special guests. BCA founding member Phumzile Phala, who delivered a message from Johann Appies, a founding member and the chairperson at the time of the BCA’s formation. Ms Phala said that two decades is no small achievement. She added that the milestone is a testament to the dedication, integrity, and tireless commitment of all those who have served and supported the BCA since its founding.
Founding member of the Black Conveyancers Association (BCA), Phumzile Phala at the 20th anniversary celebration of the BCA.
Ms Phala said the BCA’s formation, growth, and impact are the result of the collective effort of leaders who dared to envision, members who worked with purpose, and community that believed in a shared dream. ‘May this 20th anniversary serve as both a celebration of past accomplishments and an inspiration for even greater achievements in the years to come,’ Ms Phala said. She added that the 20 years celebration provides an appropriate moment for members to pause and reflect. This reflection allows them to consider how far the BCA has come as a professional organisation through shifting landscapes, societal transformation, and technological advances, and to recognise the collective effort that has shaped its journey.
Ms Phala told members that just as reflection is necessary, so too is recalibration. She said that it is time for the BCA as well as for individual legal practitioners to recalibrate for the future. ‘To reimagine the role of the BCA, continue to transform the industry, invest in capacity building and facilitate closer collaboration amongst yourselves,’ Ms Phala added. She pointed out that innovation is central to the future. She added that this innovation must not be for its own sake, but rather the kind that gives members a competitive edge, ensuring their relevance in a world that demands both agility and integrity. She said whether through digital transformation, interdisciplinary collaboration, or reimagining client engagement, innovation and excellence must become part of the legal profession’s DNA.
Messages of support
Former Secretary General of the Black Lawyers Association, Chris Mamathuntsha said the BLA was formed on the basis of transformation, mainly of the legal profession and the judiciary.
Former Secretary General of the Black Lawyers Association, Chris Mamathuntsha said the BLA was formed on the basis of transformation, mainly of the legal profession and the judiciary. He added that the BLA argues that in order to change the complexion of the judiciary, black legal practitioners must receive complex work and be exposed to areas of work that traditionally black legal practitioners are not exposed to. ‘We find these areas are for white institutions. When we say we want major blacks to share the stake with black conveyancers there is nothing antagonistic about that,’ Mr Mamathuntsha said.
Mr Mamathuntsha pointed out that the Constitution of South Africa promises a better life and equality. He said the Constitution also promises economic emancipation. He said the goals, mission and objectives enshrined in the Constitution must be realised. He added that the role of activism of legal practitioners is not going to end because there are issues that still need to be addressed, such as black legal practitioners not getting lucrative work, while they are in a free society. He said even if all South Africans are free to participate in things such as voting, they are still not free economically. Mr Mamathuntsha said it is because of these things that there will always be formations of legal practitioners having to beg entities such as banks for work. ‘We go to same schools. We write the same exams, but when it comes to crunch time, we are not suitable,’ Mr Mamathuntsha said.
Mr Mamathuntsha said this is not a problem only faced by black conveyancers; however, it cuts across the legal profession. He pointed out that there is also the issue of the Legal Sector Code. Black legal practitioners are fighting for the transformation of the legal profession. He said 30 years into democracy, the fight for transformation continues. ‘When are we going to be regarded as good enough? The message that we want to give is that you must not stop. It is not yet uhuru, at least to the black conveyancer, until you get this work you are told you are not competent to do; it is not yet uhuru. We stand side by side with you as the BLA,’ Mr Mamathuntsha added.
The Legal Practice Council (LPC) member, Director Makhafola delivered a message of support on behalf of the regulator. He said the LPC congratulates the BCA on their 20th anniversary. He added that the BCA has been a pillar of strength and advocacy for black legal practitioners, particularly those in conveyancing and commercial spaces. ‘Your work has not only advanced the interest of your members but also contributed meaningful to the transformation of the legal profession in South Africa. Tonight, we also celebrate a new chapter of the BCA the unveiling of a new branding, a bold new step forward reflecting your main vision. Your evolving identity and your continued commitment to excellence. Congratulations to you on this milestone. It is a testament to your growth and resilience and relevance in society,’ Mr Makhafola said. He thanked the BCA for their vision, courage and unwavering determination. He said the next 20 years of BCA may be filled with even greater impact, innovation and inspiration.
The Secretary General of the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA), Zodwa Maluleke, in her message of support said that for black legal practitioners to survive the legal profession they need to work together as a team.
The Secretary General of the South African Women Lawyers Association (SAWLA), Zodwa Maluleke, in her message of support said that for black legal practitioners to survive the legal profession they need to work together as a team. She added challenges are evident in the field of conveyancers, starting with the pass rate for the conveyancing exams. She pointed out that they see black conveyancers struggle to gain access to certain panels because they are required to have a high amount of funds, which hinders some from being in those panels. Ms Maluleke encouraged members of BCA to uplift and develop young women as they rise. She said that SAWLA always advocates for the upliftment of young women, as they need to be guided and supported in the legal profession.
Address by the President of BCA
President of the Black Conveyancers Association (BCA), Pumla Mncwangoat the 20th anniversary celebration of the BCA.
The current president of the BCA, Pumla Mncwango, during her speech pointed out that she was filled with mixed feelings as the BCA celebrated its 20th anniversary. She added that her mixed feelings come from the conversation she had with herself whether the celebration is about the fact that BCA has been in existence for 20 years or whether the organisation is celebrating because they have seen a shift in the industry? Ms Mncwango said it was not an open secret that the BCA is more relevant now than it was in the past. ‘Because of 30 years of post-democracy, we are still grappling with the same issues and there has been slight change but not meaningful enough to make a difference in our industry,’ Ms Mncwango said.
Ms Mncwango said it was sad to mention that some of those conveyancers who founded the organisation have since left the industry due to the challenges the industry is continuing to experience even today. ‘Tonight, as we reflect on and celebrate 20 years of the BCA we honour and pay homage to the founders, past presidents and generations of conveyancers who have pushed for reform and transformation in a field of law that remains exclusionary on the basis of race, gender and disability,’ Ms Mncwango added. She added that even today some members are leaving practice, because they cannot sustain their practices.
Ms Mncwango said that one of the challenges the BCA is facing is the slow pace of transformation in their industry, which is affecting BCA members who continue to be excluded from economic participation due to both structural and systemic barriers. She pointed out that this exclusion prompted the BCA together with other progressive organisations, such as the BLA, the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL), and Pan African Bar Association of South Africa (PABASA) to take the former Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Ebrahim Patel, to court for failure to gazette the Legal Sector Code, which is more sector specific than the previous generic Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Codes of Good Practice. Ms Mncwango announced that the BCA has joined as a respondent in the application brought against Minister Parks Tau for gazzetting the Legal Sector Code, together with the BCA’s sister organisations BLA, NADEL, PABASA, Advocates for Transformation, as well as Basadi ba Molao.
Ms Mncwango said in order to for one to be intentional and commit to transformation, they need to understand how they got to be here. ‘If you don’t know how we got here then transformation for you is all about ticking a box and just to say in terms of the scorecard we are good. It is about that and we all know whether we are shying away from reality, we all know. How we got to be treated differently to our white counterparts. I am not talking about the conveyancing space only now. I am talking about the treatment of blacks in general,’ Ms Mncwango added.
Ms Mncwango pointed out that when B-BBEE was introduced, there was hope that it would rescue black legal practitioners from the difficult situation in which they found themselves. ‘But we are still talking about transformation. We hope the gazzetting of the Legal Sector Code will address the marginalization of our black practitioners,’ Ms Mncwango said. She challenged members of BCA to look and see what it is that they are doing in their corner to push the transformation agenda, to bring back the dignity that has been lost for a black practitioner. She added that the three core values of the Constitution of South Africa are dignity, equality, and freedom. Ms Mncwango said black legal practitioners have lost them, as you cannot have the last two if you do not have the first one. Ms Mncwango warned that losing human dignity makes the enjoyment of equality and economic freedom impossible. She stated that while others may read about economic freedom in the papers, the lack of dignity means they themselves will not be able to enjoy it.
Awards were presented to several individuals, including members and friends of the BCA. The recipients included:
- Legal practitioner, Kathleen Dlepu.
- Legal practitioner, Muzi Sikhakhane SC.
- The Black Conveyancers Training Academy’s, Waheed Parker.
- Judge Lister Nuku.
- Legal practitioner, GH Ismail.
Cutting the celebratory cake at the Black Conveyancers Association’s 20th anniversary celebration.
Kgomotso Ramotsho Cert Journ (Boston) Cert Photography (Vega) is the news reporter at De Rebus.
