At a prestigious glitz and glam gala on 27 June 2024, the Mail & Guardian recognised two rising stars from Webber Wentzel - Ziyanda Sibeko and Danica Jonker, in its 2024 '200 Young South African' cohort. This recognition underscores the firm's unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering the next generation of legal talent.

Ziyanda Sibeko: An inspiring leader and mentor

Ziyanda, a recently promoted partner at Webber Wentzel, excels in general commercial litigation and administrative law matters and has acted for various private and public companies, including state-owned entities. Throughout the five years Ziyanda has been at Webber Wentzel, he has established himself as a valuable asset to the firm, dedicated to client service and insightful legal analysis. As his way to contribute to the transformation of the legal profession, Ziyanda actively mentors and upskills candidate attorneys and black female junior counsel. 

Merlita Kennedy, Ziyanda's manager and partner at Webber Wentzel commented about Ziyanda's recognition by saying: “I am incredibly proud of Ziyanda for this well-deserved recognition. It signifies not just his excellence but also our firm's dedication to fostering a culture of mentorship and professional development. We are committed to empowering our young lawyers to flourish and leave a lasting mark on the legal landscape.”

Danica Jonker: A rising star with a passion for service

Danica, a second-year candidate attorney, exemplifies dedication and teamwork. Danica plays a vital role in driving positive change as the secretary of Webber Wentzel's Leadership Network, a platform dedicated to community outreach. She is deeply committed to the initiatives planned by the Leadership Network and always looks for ways to make a difference. Danica also has a deep passion for self-improvement and is constantly pushing herself to reach her full potential. This drive manifests in her work as she actively seeks out new opportunities to learn and grow. 

"I am truly proud of Danica's recognition. It reflects her strong work ethic and collaborative spirit, qualities we highly value at our firm. This achievement is a testament to her potential and aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering future legal leaders" said Mark Garden, Danica's manager and partner at Webber Wentzel.

Webber Wentzel's senior partner, Christo Els, had this to say about Ziyanda and Danica: "At Webber Wentzel, we've designed early careers programmes to be springboards for success. We equip young lawyers with the knowledge and skills they need and foster a collaborative environment where they can learn from experienced mentors and gain valuable hands-on experience. Seeing Ziyanda and Danica recognised in the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans list is truly gratifying, a testament to both their talent and the impact of our firm's commitment to nurturing the next generation of legal leaders".