It was one of those bright winter mornings when I sat down with Yonela Ndila, a woman whose presence is as sharp and intentional as the legal mind behind her newly launched venture, Joina Legal. Warm, articulate, and purpose-driven, Yonela welcomed me with a calm confidence that can only come from years of preparation, resilience, and a deep understanding of why she does what she does.
The conversation began, as all good stories do, at the beginning.
Before business, let’s start at the beginning – where were you born and where are you currently based? How have these places shaped the woman and attorney you are today? “I was born and raised in Cape Town, Khayelitsha to be precise, one of the city’s largest townships,” she shared. “Growing up in Khayelitsha exposed me to the harsh realities of unemployment, poverty, and crime amongst others. Those early experiences shaped my worldview and instilled in me a strong sense of purpose. I always knew I wanted more for myself, but more than that, I saw the need for others like me to see what's possible. I believe those of us who’ve managed to ‘make it out,’ in a sense, have a responsibility to reach back and help uplift others.”
You’ve successfully completed your BCom Law and LLB at UWC and pursued your LLM in Ocean Governance at NMU – what inspired your passion for law, and why specialize in this field? “I wouldn’t say I had a lifelong dream to become a lawyer. What I did have, however, was a strong sense of justice. I’ve always been vocal about injustice and what’s not right, which initially made me think I’d go into human rights law,” she explained. “But when I had to choose a career, I was undecided. I loved both math and art, but because there was a sense of wanting to be ‘secure,’ I eventually decided on law.”
Yonela began with a BCom Law to test the waters before fully committing, and the LLB naturally followed. Her LLM, years later, came from a growing interest in maritime space. “I wanted to deepen my understanding. That’s how I landed in Ocean Governance,” she said.
Her path may not have been a straight line, but every step prepared her for the leap she would soon take.
You have worked with respected legal institutions like Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, continue to consult with Caveat Legal, and were admitted as an attorney in 2021. How have these experiences prepared you for launching your own legal consultancy, Joina Legal? "Yes, I’m still part of Caveat Legal and continue to work in the same spaces I did before launching Joina," she clarified. "Joina wasn’t something I recently created - it began in 2020 under a different name, initially focused on training and development."
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped perspectives on the future of work. "Even though I was employed at the time, I knew I wanted to transition into consulting eventually. Joina is an evolution of that vision - I rebranded the original entity and integrated my current consulting services into it."
By the way - congratulations on starting Joina Legal! What inspired the name and the vision behind your firm, and what makes your services stand out in the legal industry? “The name ‘Joina’ was born during a design thinking workshop at UCT. We needed a catchy name for a prototype, and 'Joina' came to mind. It stuck because it speaks to collaboration and connection,” she recalled. “It’s essentially ‘join’ with a local flair. Joina Legal is about partnerships - whether with startups, legal teams, or organisations. We look at where they are, where they want to go, and how I can fit in to help them get there.”
Joina Legal embraces the “new law” model, where technology, innovation, and flexibility reshape how legal services are delivered. “The traditional model is evolving, and Joina is part of that shift,” Yonela explained.
So, for someone looking to access your legal services, what is the process and how can people get in touch with Joina Legal? “The best way to reach me is directly - via email or phone,” Yonela said. “I believe in a personal and collaborative approach. Sometimes I may not be the right fit, but I have a strong network I can refer clients to. That’s the ethos of Joina - connection over competition.”
I am sure, starting a legal consultancy is no small feat. What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing in building Joina Legal from the ground up, and how did you overcome them? “Joina is still in its early stages, so I’m learning as I go,” she said candidly. “One of the immediate challenges is that I’ve recently relocated, and my professional network where I am now isn’t as strong as the one, I had in Cape Town. That takes time to build.”
As someone who wears multiple hats – from attorney to operations manager to entrepreneur – how do you manage your time, and what do you do to relax or unwind after a long day? “Before anything else, I’m an attorney. I’ve worked hard for that title, and all the other roles I hold stem from that foundation,” she stated proudly. Yonela also lectures on a contract basis at Nelson Mandela University, while serving as a trustee and council member for the Marine Biological Association in the UK.
Managing my time is a work in progress. I take things one task at a time and try not to overwhelm myself. As a mom, my downtime is often spent with my daughter. Watching her grow into her own person brings me joy, and I cherish that time.
Lastly, what advice would you give to young women, especially those studying law, who dream of owning their own legal practice one day? “Keep learning. Stay curious. Constantly find ways to improve yourself. If that means enrolling in a course or picking up a new skill, do it sooner rather than later,” she advised. “The legal industry is evolving, and there are so many new spaces emerging - be at the forefront of this evolution. Lastly, find what excites you and build around that. The traditional route isn’t the only one. Believe that you belong in every room you enter. And if no one opens the door for you, build your own.”
Personally, I am inspired by Yonela Ndila’s story and the spirit behind Joina Legal. As she continues to bridge the gap between traditional legal services and the future of law through innovation and collaboration, I wish her nothing but success.
To our readers - especially SME owners, if you’re looking for insightful, strategic, and forward-thinking legal consultation, now is the time to connect with Joina Legal. Whether you're navigating compliance, streamlining operations, or seeking training for your legal teams, Yonela is ready to join forces with you.
To connect with Joina Legal, reach out via email and start your legal journey with clarity and confidence.
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