Our Journey
We started with a single mission – defending Johannesburg’s defenceless – and we realised pretty early that the problem was common across South Africa, so we changed to Defending the Defenceless. Our first mission is to get operable in Johannesburg and then South Africa wide.
But in practice, we don’t intend to stop there – what we’re doing is trying to use technology to change a system; to re-establish the physical relationship between a client and an Attorney and to give trust back to the system.
Why shouldn’t an Attorney be able to offer affordable services?
There are many across Africa that require that change.
Defend^ – Launch in Johannesburg 2024
We’re pleased to be able to launch our business first for the citizens of Johannesburg; our founders’ home.
To ensure that we deliver this new approach to legal representation, we’ve engaged carefully with the Regulators and all relevant Ombudsmen to ensure that your service is safe, legal and appropriate.
We’re excited to be able to offer clients directly to our founders legal practice.
Defend^ – South Africa
Whilst our practising attorney’s can operate anywhere in South Africa immediately, and we’re confident of their abilities – we recognise that local connections can make the world of difference.
So we’re currently looking for new Practising Attorney’s across South Africa who are interested in managing their own subscription client base.
Defend^ – Africa Wide
Having worked within and reviewed other legal systems across Africa we see similar issues and similar opportunities.
We’ll be launching targeted products in other African countries as we engage those countries’ regulators and onboard regional practising attorneys.
Meet our founders
Mfana Gwala – CEO, Chief Counsel & Founder
Our founder, Mfana Gwala has spent over 25 years as a Senior Practising Attorney in South Africa. Coming from humble beginnings in Soweto, a township in Johannesburg, Mfana has always sought to give back to the community.
Defending the Defenceless has always been a passion of mine.
Mfana Gwala
Over the course of his career, it became clear to Mfana that a few key things were preventing adequate legal representation for those with the lowest income:
- The cost of engaging an attorney is prohibitive and grows daily. It vastly eclipses the earnings of most.
- Some private and state provided attorneys operate with ‘fee’ in mind.
- There is often a disconnect in the South African justice system between client, attorney, wishes and outcomes.
The rise of Legal Insurance brought hope to many, but those same issues are prevalent – and worse, it’s introduced another: You never know your Attorney, and you have little involvement in the direction of your case.
Having dreamed of finding a way to have a bigger impact on those who really need it most, which in South Africa, is those that can’t afford it, Mfana conceived Defend^.
Chris Rolling – Chief Digital and Information Officer, Co-Founder
Chris has been in technology leadership for over 25 years, ranging from large multi-national enterprises and the UK public sector through to founding startups.
After Chris unexpectedly and unwarrantedly experienced the complexities of the South African justice system first-hand and the differing approaches of Attorneys, he was grateful to be referred to and meet Mr. Gwala.
As his Attorney, Mr. Gwala delivered a life-changing impact, bringing the matter rapidly to a close, whilst also firmly establishing the view that the competence, communication, outlook and trust of an Attorney is key.
On hearing of Mr Gwala’s plans and desire to set up a service that would provide expert legal services to those that need it most, he rapidly came on board and set about finding the digital solution that would make Mr. Gwala’s aims a reality.
