‘A lot of people know the glory but do not know the story behind it’

Northern News spoke to Janine Myburgh, director of Myburgh Attorneys Incorporated, who received a lifetime achievement award at Good Hope FM’s Warrior Woman Awards last month.

Please tell us a bit about your background

I was born on October 19 in 1968 in Parow. I have three siblings and I am the middle child. I am also a foster mother of a 15-year-old girl who has lived with me for nine years.

What does it mean to be honoured with Lifetime Achievement award at Good Hope FM?

It is a huge honour that was unexpected. I thought it was for people that were much older, but I am very humbled to have been recognised in this format. This does not mean I am going to stop working. I have got a responsibility to make a difference in the lives of others, and I have the ability to do that.

Any advice for youth?

There are a lot of ups and downs in life, but you have to resist and be on guard. A lot of people know the glory but do not know the story behind it. It does not just happen, you have to put in a lot of work and sacrifice. If you are willing to do that you will receive success. You do not do what you do for the recognition. You do it to make a difference.

What are some of the roles you have occupied?

I obtained my BProc degree in 1994 at University of Port Elizabeth, now Nelson Mandela University. I started my articles at Roup Attorneys in 1994 and ended up in a firm near Tyger Valley Shopping Centre. I started my own practice in Bellville 25 years ago on August 1 in 1999. I also completed the Family Mediators' Association of the Cape (FAMAC) mediator training in 2011.

I was the president of the Tygerberg Region of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for two consecutive terms in 2003 and 2004.

I was the national president of the South African Council of Business Women for two consecutive terms, in 2003 and 2004.

Some of the roles I occupied were as the president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce in 2005 and re-elected in 2007 for another one year. I was also a president again in 2013 where I was re-elected on a yearly basis and served until 2019.

What are some of the awards you have received throughout your career?

In 2003 I was the recipient of the Micro Business Leader award for my practice at Myburgh Attorneys.

I was a recipient of the Woman of Wonder (WOW) award in 2019 in South Africa and won the Covid 19 Legal Eagle award by the Women in Law awards in 2020.

In December 2020, I was awarded the International Visionary Woman of Wonder award in Dubai.

In February 2023, I was recognised as one of the top-30 International Global Icons as well as awarded the International Visionary Woman of Wonder award in Mauritius.

In May 2024, I was awarded the International Visionary Woman of Wonder award in Qatar.

In August 2024, I was awarded the International Visionary Woman of Wonder award in the United Kingdom.