Page 83 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Being a woman should not be looked upon as a handicap

but rather a compliment.

death followed just four years later, whilst she was told that I looked the part of a secretary, more
Attorney and sole owner, assumed the role of mum at home. than that of a lawyer. I was not deterred.“ And now
of Shamla Pather Attorneys
She says, “Every accolade, every milestone achieved, Shamla confidently says that she has won many
HAMLA PATHER is an attorney, and the sole I dedicate to my mother. She still inspires me to be matters against that firm.
owner of her practice, Shamla Pather Attorneys, the best that I can be.” Shamla adds that her mother Shamla is the patron of several organisations and
Swhich is based in Umhlanga Rocks. was not formally educated but she taught her values she makes it her duty to assist where she can. She
and doing things the right way irrespective of fear or contributes to the upliftment of the society by
Shamla is an experienced lawyer who has been in incrimination. doing pro bono work, team building, and fund-
practice for 22 years. Her practice provides a wide raising. She is happy to get her hands dirty and
range of legal services, with a team to back up The attitude that athletes have inspires Shamla daily. says to have accomplished something for your
the firm’s various divisions, with its focus being She was an athlete at school and an athlete’s focus community means you are leaving behind a legacy.
commercial and civil litigation. Shamla also has gives Shamla strength and exhilaration. “Anything
experience with family law, a sphere which she can be achieved with hard work, determination, and Shamla achieves a healthy work-life balance and
specialises in, this work is on a referred based, where dedication”. The start of any problem is like a race she credits her husband for this. “Despite him being
she is solicited for her niche expertise. Shamla and you must focus on what the last 50 metres will a busy medical doctor, he is helpful and stands by
practices all over the country and also has a variety bring. If you have done your preparation and you are my side, allowing me to do the things that need
of international clients. confident, natural endurance will take over and you to be done.” He is her biggest admirer and has
will succeed. encouraged Shamla to break boundaries and not to
Shamla’s upbringing and family life was simple be afraid. That’s rare and she appreciates his unselfish
and humble, and this set the tone for her to want Uplifting others commitment.
to succeed. Whist she has done well as an attorney, In evaluating what she has accomplished so Family time is family time
her humility and simplicity are obvious traits she far, Shamla says that she is content but looks at
possesses. She has not forgotten her days of living in achieving more in the social environment. Having She has a good support system but thinks that her
Chatsworth, where she grew up as the youngest of come from a disadvantaged background, she is background of becoming a mum at an early age to
four children. With three older brothers she learnt to a champion of women’s and children’s rights. It is her siblings allows her to juggle work and home. Her
play rugby and soccer at a young age and became a most rewarding feeling when you have made a family, including her daughter Jayde, has adapted
a football fanatic. Her dad, a manufacturing jeweller difference in someone’s life. to a schedule that works for everyone. Jayde is the
light of Shamla’s life and to date her biggest and best
was a weekly wage earner, Shamla found that he was Shamla does not believe women should approach
achievement. Jayde is adoring of her mother and
still paying off her brother’s university fees, although business differently to men and she suggests that
equally proud of her. Jayde says, “Whatever needs to
he had been seven years ahead of her, when she women adapt to their environment. “Gone are the
completed matric. This was a turning point in her days that this is a man’s world. It is definitely your be done, mum makes a plan”.
life as she knew that to succeed, hard work and world, whatever your gender. With the number If she had to go back to her younger self, Shamla
commitment was required. of opportunities that women have, instead of would have told the person she was in her thirties:
competing against men, you should just get out “Have another child. Children make life fun, keep
An amazing woman
there and do what you do. There is no reason to you younger”. Shamla and Dan are blessed to have
Shamla attributes her success and hard work to her be in their shadow, there is no reason to complain. Jayde, their only child and the reality that she goes
late mum. She is emphatic that her mother remains Being a woman should not be looked upon as a away from home to university is a lonely thought.
the most amazing individual she has encountered. handicap but rather a compliment. When I went Shamla feels she was selfish to Jayde in not having
Her mum passed away during Shamla’s final year for my first interview for articles of clerkship, I was another child, as the beauty and bonds of siblings
at university, which was very traumatic. Her father’s offered a secretarial position with more salary, as I is priceless.

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