Zubenathi Sofute is a candidate attorney from Zwelihle with a bright future ahead.
From humble beginnings, the 22-year-old decided to pursue a career in law when watching a South African drama series about lawyers.
“Commenting on the show my mother mentioned how proud a mother must be to see a child of hers become an attorney,” he related. “This is precisely why my brother became a police officer – to make my mother proud.”
After starting his schooling in Khayelitsha he was enrolled at Lukhanyo Primary School in Zwelihle in Grade 2 and went on to Qhayiya Secondary, where he met principal Nkosilungile Lolwana. “I owe my success to him, for he pushed me and made sure I met the right people,” he explained.
Sofute also mentions that Theo Krynauw, founder of Sparklekids, supported him and gave him much advice.
The law graduate has always been a natural leader and joined the Congress of South African students, and was elected to serve on its provincial committee. In Grade 10 he was also elected onto the Junior Town Council. “In 2017 I started with my LLB degree at the University of the Western Cape and graduated in 2020.” Later that year Sofute began his articles at the local firm of Guthrie and Theron Attorneys. He has since joined Van Niekerk and Jansen van Rensburg.
Wihan Jansen van Rensburg, director of the firm, says it’s an honour to work with Sofute. “We are looking forward to assisting in his growth as a candidate attorney,” he said. “He is an enthusiastic, duly diligent individual and a tremendous asset to the team.”
Sofute says his short-term goal is, firstly, to be admitted to the Bar and then he intends pursuing his master’s degree.