Noluthando Sigudu’s journey to becoming an attorney was paved with hard work, resilience, and unwavering belief in her dreams.
Growing up in the small town of Middelburg, Mpumalanga, she faced numerous challenges, but the desire to pursue a legal career never wavered.
Slong the way, she worked as a waitress to fund her education, and now, as the director of Noluthando Sigudu Attorneys, she has turned her dreams into reality.
Sigudu’s journey wasn’t always smooth, but her father’s encouragement was a constant source of strength.
“My father was my biggest cheerleader since primary school. He always assured me that I can achieve whatever I wanted. He believed in me so much,” Sigudu recalls.
This support was instrumental in fueling her determination to pursue a career in law.
“I love serving and helping the helpless who don’t know the right legal channels or procedures. What kept me going was the dream of being an attorney, my resilience, and my father, who was my enabler and made me believe I can be anything,” she said.
Her passion for helping others, combined with her father’s faith in her abilities, served as a powerful motivator throughout her educational journey.
Sigudu’s academic path was demanding. She earned her degree from the University of Limpopo in 2020, followed by six months at law school.
She then prepared for and completed four attorney competency board exams before serving a year of articles as a candidate attorney.
After successfully completing the requirements, she was admitted and enrolled as an attorney.
Today, Sigudu runs her own law firm, Noluthando Sigudu Attorneys, where she leads a team that handles a wide range of legal matters, including civil and criminal cases, deceased estate administration, wills and trusts, divorce, and accident claims.
While her career may seem like a far cry from her early days in the service industry, Sigudu says that the journey was worth every sacrifice.
“Of course, sometimes I felt like giving up. It was exhausting and demanding, and sometimes it felt discouraging knowing that retail was in no way connected with my career path.
“But eventually I got the wisdom and understanding that at that time [spent working as a waitress and in retail] I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I’m a firm believer that nothing just happens,” she said.
Sigudu’s experiences working in retail and waitressing were not wasted. In fact, they played a significant role in shaping her career.
“After my LLB degree, I needed to go to law school, which is part of the requirements of becoming an attorney in SA. I then moved to Pretoria to law school; that is when I also worked at a clothing shop,” she explained.
Sigudu balanced her law studies with a demanding work schedule, working at a clothing store during the day and attending law school in the evening.
Her days began at 7 a.m. and often didn’t end until after 8PM.
Her commitment to her education and career has paid off.
However, Sigudu is not resting on her laurels.
“I’m still studying and hopefully next year I’ll sit for notary and conveyancing board exams and be admitted as a notary and conveyancer. I chose notary because I enjoy drafting contracts and I’ve excelled in contracts since varsity. I also want to be a conveyancer – notary and conveyancing work together in a way or rather are closely related. Hence, I want to qualify for both,” she shared.
Looking back, Sigudu also reflects on the importance of the connections she made during her time as a waitress. Many of the legal professionals she served in her waitressing days are now her colleagues.
“While I was still a waitress, I served prosecutors, magistrates, and attorneys that I now work with in court. They became my connections, my people, and my legal family since [name of restaurant] days and now make my life easier as a young attorney,” she said.
Her story serves as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of making the most of every opportunity.
“If you pay attention, there’s always so much to learn wherever you are, even if it’s not where you want to be. You already have what you need, use it to your advantage. Fund your dreams and never undermine small beginnings. As a matter of fact, wherever life places you, learn and let excellence be your goal,” Sigudu advises.
Notably, Sigudu’s story is a powerful reminder that dreams can be realized through hard work, determination, and the courage to embrace every stage of the journey.
