Powerful, confident, and strategic—these are the qualities that best define today’s female legal practitioners. They have played vital roles in the growth of the practice of law. Whether defending clients in court, representing companies, or making influential rulings, female lawyers continue to fight for justice and pave the way for other women pursuing legal careers.
Several female attorneys have made remarkable contributions to the field of law, and Botswana’s very own Njira Mbewe-Boatey is certainly one of them. She is an eloquent speaker, an impassioned activist, and finds serenity in championing the rights of marginalized communities.
Mbewe-Boatey is a force to be reckoned with. Her resolute stance against issues that deprive women, minority groups, sex workers, the LGBTIQ+ community, and migrants of their human rights is unmistakable. She is undeniably a powerhouse.
A seasoned legal practitioner with over ten years of experience specializing in commercial law, litigation, and legal advisory services, Mbewe-Boatey has been delivering legal solutions, advocating for human rights, and driving transformative change. Despite all the accolades she has garnered over the years as an advocate passionate about gender advocacy and community development, her journey has not been a stroll in the park. She has worked tirelessly, day and night, without cutting corners, but the path to becoming a lawyer was far from straightforward.
From the dusty streets of a home with a pit latrine to entering the gates of Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, the journey to becoming Njira Mbewe-Boatey was fueled by a deep sense of justice, a passion for human rights, and the desire to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable. At one point in her life, she was a victim of the overwhelming bullying that has prematurely ended the lives of many young people. But she had to keep her chin up.
“Growing up, I was always fascinated by the concept of justice—how laws could shape societies, protect rights, and empower individuals. I knew early on that I wanted to be a part of that system, but the road ahead was not without its challenges. Pursuing law meant facing numerous obstacles, both personal and societal,” she said in an exclusive interview this week.
As a young African woman striving to make a mark in a male-dominated field, she had to push through doubts, rejections, and moments of uncertainty. Somehow, she became a nut that couldn’t be cracked as the setbacks wired her steadfastness—truly, a phenomenal woman.
“They taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of staying grounded in the values that drew me to law in the first place: fairness, compassion, and standing up for myself. After years of study, I became an admitted Attorney, Notary Public, and Conveyancer in the High Courts of Botswana and ultimately founded my own law firm, Mbewe Legal Practice.”
The establishment of Mbewe Legal Practice marked the beginning of an era. It was a significant milestone in her journey, but it was also the start of a larger mission—one that required burning the midnight oil more often.
Mbewe-Boatey says she wanted to create a space where law and justice intersect with advocacy, particularly for those at the margins: women, migrants, and survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), which has been mounting in Botswana.
Now, with over a decade of experience and having had the privilege of working both locally and internationally, she realized being a lawyer is more than a career for her—it is a calling. This is about creating lasting impact, standing up for the voiceless, and building a system where justice is accessible to all.
“My journey continues, and I am grateful for every step. From my time as a Mandela Washington Fellow to founding the Justice Connection Foundation, each chapter is not just about navigating the law but about shaping a more equitable world. Most importantly, winning the Community Champion Award in London this year and the Nelson Mandela Rising Star Award 2024.”
Navigating and thriving in a male-dominated legal fraternity has been both challenging and rewarding for Njira. As a woman, especially in the context of Botswana, breaking into this profession demanded resilience, courage, and an unwavering belief in her purpose. Nonetheless, some fellow male colleagues were sympathetic, doing away with the gender card.
“From the beginning, I knew that I wasn’t just stepping into courtrooms or boardrooms to represent clients, but I was also stepping into spaces where women, in particular African women, are often underrepresented. The legal profession’s longstanding male dominance meant that I had to prove myself twice as hard, pushing against stereotypes and societal expectations,” she said.
