We are thrilled to relaunch our monthly Women in Law interview series! Now returning as a monthly feature spotlighting exceptional women who are shaping the legal profession in powerful and innovative ways. To celebrate the relaunch, we will be featuring not one but TWO women this month, starting with Candy Musekene, a legal strategist who doesn’t just practice law, but builds with it.
Candy is a voice that embodies the future of law: dynamic, multidimensional, and unapologetically impactful. What better way to return than by spotlighting a lawyer who embodies the future of the profession?
She is a Legal Manager at MTN South Africa, working at the intersection of technology law, digital regulation, AI governance, and multi-market compliance. She describes herself as “a lawyer who builds, a thinker who creates, and a strategist shaping the legal foundations of next-generation digital ecosystems.”
Her career reflects a powerful blend of creativity, structure, and innovation, grounded in a deep desire not only to understand the world, but to change it.
Candy’s journey into law was anything but conventional. Raised in a digital world, she naturally gravitated toward understanding systems, data, and connectivity. Law became her tool of influence. A way to engage, shape, and transform those systems.
Her early career at Webber Wentzel laid a strong technical and professional foundation, instilling discipline and excellence. She later transitioned to Takealot during a pivotal moment in South Africa’s digital evolution, where her passion for technology and in-house practice truly took root. Below is our interview with this phenomenal woman in law!
FWIL:
What initially inspired you to pursue a career in law, and when did you realise that this was the path you wanted to follow?
CM:
I was raised in a digital world, so engaging with technology came naturally. It was my first language. I loved understanding how systems worked, how data moved, and how digital platforms connected people. Law became the tool that helped me influence those systems. It allowed me to blend curiosity, structure, and creativity into a career that felt natural. I chose law because I wanted to understand the world. I chose technology because I wanted to change it.
FWIL:
You served your articles at a Big Five law firm before moving in-house. How did that experience shape your legal foundation and career trajectory?
CM:
My articles at Webber Wentzel grounded me in technical excellence and professional discipline. It was a foundational period that instilled a rigorous approach to the law. I later joined the Takealot legal team at a pivotal moment in South Africa’s digital evolution, which deepened my passion for technology and showed me how transformative in-house practice could be. Those experiences together shaped the lawyer I am today.
FWIL:
What motivated your transition from private practice to an in-house role, and how does the work of in-house counsel differ from law firm practice?
CM:
I moved in-house because I wanted to build something meaningful. I have worked for two startups that became nationally recognised successes, Takealot and Ayoba. I love environments where you can feel the product growing beneath your feet. In-house counsel sit at the heartbeat of a business. You see decisions turn into outcomes. You influence strategy. You have ownership. That sense of contribution energises me.
FWIL:
You work within the AI and Legal Tech space. For readers who may be unfamiliar with this field, how would you describe the intersection between law, technology, and artificial intelligence?
CM:
AI and Legal Tech have always been part of our world. Even before they became accessible to the everyday person, they were deeply embedded in the systems we used daily. Today, the difference is visibility. People can finally see and engage with tools that were running in the background for years. The intersection of law, technology, and AI is about building systems that are ethical, safe, and aligned with human values. As lawyers, we are not separate from that evolution. We are architects of it.
FWIL:
How do you see artificial intelligence and legal technology transforming the legal profession in the coming years?
CM:
AI will not replace lawyers. It will refine us. It will remove routine work and allow lawyers to focus on judgment, ethics, decision-making, and leadership. The future lawyer will be multidisciplinary, technologically fluent, and grounded in human insight. Technology expands our capacity, but the human role remains at the centre.
FWIL:
With the rapid growth of technology in the legal sector, what skills should young lawyers begin developing today to remain relevant in the future?
CM:
Curiosity is essential. Young lawyers should learn digital tools, understand data, experiment with technology, follow tech creators, and play with the systems shaping the world. You cannot solve problems you do not understand. Build business awareness, problem-solving skills, and the confidence to learn continuously. This profession rewards those who stay teachable.
FWIL:
Looking back on your career so far, what would you consider some of your most significant milestones or achievements?
CM:
Moving in-house was life-changing for me. My academic path was always centred on media, telecoms, and technology, but working inside digital businesses took it further. When you are planted in the right soil, you blossom. In six years of practice, I have earned recognition from my peers, including multiple nominations and awards such as the African Legal Awards Rising Star shortlist and the MTN Group Legal Powerhouse Award. These milestones affirm my trajectory and reflect the impact of the teams I have worked with.
FWIL:
As a Black woman in the legal profession, have you encountered challenges related to race or gender along your journey, and how have you navigated or overcome them?
CM:
In the beginning, imposter syndrome was real. Even as a confident person, unfamiliar rooms can make you second-guess yourself. I was fortunate to have incredible women around me, across races and professions, who introduced me boldly and made space for me. Over time, I learned to take up space without apology. I refused to let race or gender define my story. When you show up consistently, your presence becomes undeniable. Eventually, you start believing that you belong in every room you enter, and the room adjusts accordingly.
FWIL:
Do you identify as a feminist? Why or why not?
CM:
I am Candy before anything else. I do not confine myself to labels. But I believe deeply in equality, dignity, and choice for women. I am the product of women who fought for rights they never had, and I benefit from their courage every day. I honour that legacy.
FWIL:
Could you share a defining moment or experience in your career that significantly shaped your perspective as a lawyer?
CM:
Becoming an in-house lawyer changed everything. After private practice, I questioned whether law was truly for me. The moment I stepped into an in-house role, everything clicked. It felt personal. It felt purposeful. Working in-house feels like working for your family’s business. You show up with heart. You push harder. That alignment changed how I saw myself as a lawyer.
FWIL:
Working at the intersection of law and technology often requires creative problem-solving. How do you approach complex or novel legal challenges in such a rapidly evolving space?
CM:
I thrive in environments that are fast-moving, uncertain, and complex. I enjoy untangling difficult problems. I ground myself in first principles, consult multidisciplinary experts, and design solutions that balance legal integrity with operational logic. Creativity and structure work together in my approach.
FWIL:
Outside of your professional work, what are some of your passions or interests, and why are they important to you?
CM:
I am passionate about creating, whether through art, writing, or academic work. Creativity keeps me grounded and connected to my humanity. I also prioritise fitness. It is the foundation of everything. You need a healthy body to sustain a healthy mind. Fitness builds discipline, clarity, and confidence, which flow directly into performance, fulfilment, and leadership.
FWIL:
Why is mentorship important to you, and what impact do you hope to have on the next generation of women in the legal profession?
CM:
Mentorship changes lives. It builds knowledge, but more importantly, it builds confidence. I want young women to know that they belong in the spaces they aspire to enter. You earn your place, and that alone is enough. As women, we often feel pressured to have all the answers. True confidence is knowing you do not need to. Growth comes from asking questions, seeking help, and showing up boldly.
FWIL:
Building a strong professional network is often key to career growth. What strategies have helped you build meaningful relationships within the legal and tech communities?
CM:
I build networks through authenticity and contribution. Real relationships are created through shared value, not volume. I connect with people who are passionate, curious, and willing to learn together.
FWIL:
Are there any women or mentors who have significantly influenced your career journey or leadership style?
CM:
The greatest influences in my life are the matriarchs in my family, especially my mother. She taught me that nothing is beyond my reach, and that belief shaped everything I am. I am also inspired by women in the legal and tech fields who lead with humility, excellence, and courage. They remind me of what is possible.
FWIL:
What guiding principles or values have helped shape your approach to leadership and legal practice?
CM:
Shoot your shot. So many opportunities are waiting for you, but they require you to take the first step. Courage creates momentum.
FWIL:
What message would you like to share with young women who are interested in law, technology, or innovative areas of legal practice?
CM:
Stay curious. Learn technology. Embrace complex problems. You do not need to be perfect. You simply need to begin. Be bold. Use your voice. Take up space. Closed mouths do not get fed. Ask questions. Seek help. Build community. You will be surprised by how many people want to see you win. But you must take the first step.
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Candy’s journey is not just a story of career progression; it is a blueprint for the modern lawyer. She exemplifies a new generation of legal professionals who view the law not as a set of constraints, but as a toolkit for creation. From her early days navigating the digital world to her current role as a leader shaping AI governance, Candy has consistently chosen courage over comfort.
Her story is a powerful reminder that the future of law belongs to the curious, the bold, and those willing to build. As she puts it, when you are planted in the right soil, you blossom. For young women looking to make their mark in law and technology, Candy Musekene has proven that the first step – shooting your shot – is the one that changes everything.
We are honoured to have her as the relaunch feature for our “Women in Law” series, and we look forward to bringing you more inspiring stories monthly.