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MEET THE TEAM

Tumelo Mashabela

Director & Registered Patent Attorney

“Be the Change that you want to see in the World” – Mahatma Ghandi 

Qualifications

  • LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law – American University Washington College of Law 
  • LLB – University of South Africa 
  • BSc Electrical Engineering – University of Cape Town 

Expertise

  • Intellectual Property Law 
  • Commercial Law 
  • Entertainment Law 
  • Environmental Law 
  • Corporate Law 
  • Commercial Litigation 
  • Labour Law   

Professional Associations

  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa 
  • Registered Patent Attorney in South Africa 
  • Fellow Member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) 
  • Member of the Legal Practice Council 

Hobbies

  • Spending time with family  
  • Travelling  
  • Exercising 
  • Hiking  
  • Reading 
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Nicky Biggar

Nicolette Biggar

Senior Consultant Attorney

Qualifications

  • LLM – University of South Africa
  • LLB – University of KwaZulu Natal
  • BSocSc – University of KwaZulu Natal

Expertise

  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Commercial Law 

Professional Associations

  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa 
  • Member of the Legal Practice Council 
  • Fellow Member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)

Hobbies

  • Reading
  • Blogging
  • Adventure racing
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Phindulo Munyai

Associate Attorney

Qualifications

  • LLB – University of South Africa

  • BSc Geology – University of Pretoria

Expertise

  • Commercial Law
  • Labour Law 
  • Administrative Law 
  • Mining and Environmental Law

Professional Associations

  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa 
  • Member of the Legal Practice Council 
  • Fellow Member of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL)

Hobbies

  • Speaking engagements and presentations 
  • Research and writing 
  • Reading 
  • Networking 
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Bongani Mdakane

BONGANI MDAKANE

Consultant - Attorney

Qualifications

  • LLB – University of South Africa 
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts – University of Johannesburg 

Expertise

  • Intellectual Property 
  • Commercial Law 
  • Commercial and Civil Litigation 
  • Entertainment law 
  • Labour Law   

Professional Associations

  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa 
  • Member of the Legal Practice Council  

Hobbies

  • Music 
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Allan John (AJ) Rabie

ALLAN JOHN RABIE

Consultant – Patent Attorney

Qualifications

  • LLB – University of South Africa 
  • Master’s Degree in Polymer Chemistry – University of Stellenbosch 
  • BSc (Hons) in Polymer Chemistry – University of Stellenbosch 
  • BSc in Industrial Chemistry – University of Stellenbosch 

Expertise

  • Intellectual Property Law 
  • Commercial Law 
  • Commercial Litigation 

Professional Associations

  • Admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa 
  • Registered Patent Attorney in South Africa 
  • Member of the Legal Practice Council 

Hobbies

  • Spending time with family 
  • Deep sea fishing 
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Florence Tshaya

FLORENCE TSHAYA

Office Manager & Legal Secretary

Qualifications

  • National Diploma in Marketing Management – Tshwane North College 
  • Higher Certificate in Law – University of South Africa 

Expertise

  • Intellectual Property Searches, Reporting, and Management 
  • Administration 
  • Office Management 

Hobbies

  • Reading 
  • Networking 
  • Outdoor activities 
  • Motorcycle riding 
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BIOGRAPHY

Tumelo Mashabela

Director & Registered Patent Attorney

Tumelo is a dynamic patent attorney with extensive skills in various aspects of intellectual property (IP), corporate and commercial law. Tumelo holds a degree in BSc Electrical Engineering from the University of Cape Town, an LLB degree from the University of South Africa, and an LLM in Intellectual Property and Technology Law from the American University Washington College of Law. 

Tumelo began her career as a software engineer at a prestigious weapons company where she gained her technical experience. Following that, Tumelo qualified as the first black female patent attorney in South Africa during 2009 having worked at some of the largest IP and commercial law firms in the country. With 18 years of experience in the legal profession, more than 14 years post admission, Tumelo has a wide range of expertise in drafting contracts, developing IP strategies and policies, conducting IP audits and due diligence investigations. With her vast knowledge and experience; Tumelo established her own IP law firm; Tshaya Mashabela Attorneys, in 2016. 

Tumelo is passionate about creating IP awareness, and has done so both locally (in South Africa) and internationally. Tumelo has been actively participating as a guest lecturer, and imparting her knowledge and expertise at the WIPO Summer School, since 2012. She has also appeared on a number of media outlets, such as eNCA, Newzroom Afrika, and Power FM, as a thought leader on various topics related to IP law.  

Tumelo is currently a Board Member of the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI). She served as an Advisory Board Member for the National Intellectual Property Management Office, an agency of Department of Science and Innovation. She is a former non-executive Director for UJ Invnt (Pty) Ltd, a commercialisation arm of the University of Johannesburg. She was an Independent Contractor contracted to UNISA to develop content for an IP Management Post-Graduate Diploma. Tumelo was awarded a Professional Excellence in Innovation Management Award by the Department of Science and Innovation in Collaboration with SARIMA during 2018. She is currently a moderator for one of the Patent Board Exams, and an external examiner for a post-graduate course: Intellectual Property, New Technologies and Innovation at the University of Pretoria. Tumelo is an innovative entrepreneur, businesswoman, and patent attorney who is shaping the world of IP Law. 

BIOGRAPHY

Nicolette Biggar

Senior Consultant Attorney

Nicolette (Nicky) is an admitted attorney (26 years), and a qualified Trade Mark Practitioner (14 years). She started her legal career at a sole practitioner firm in Durban where she was exposed to various areas of law including criminal and civil litigation, family law, labour law and administration of deceased estates.

She then relocated to Pretoria in 2000 and worked at the Road Accident Fund as a Claims Handler before moving to the Patents Department at the IP Registry then known as Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office (CIPRO).  It was then that the passion for intellectual property law was birthed.

In 2007 Nicky moved to the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) and continued her journey into IP law before moving to a specialist IP law firm in Pretoria where she honed in on her specialist area of trade mark law.  While there she completed her Masters of Law, specialising in Intellectual Property Law. She was made partner in 2014 and practiced within the Trade Marks Prosecution department until her resignation in 2024.  Her experience in trade mark law extends from searching, filing and further prosecution, to settlement negotiations, recordals and maintenance, not only covering South Africa, but internationally as well. 

Nicky then experienced a year abroad in New Zealand and worked at a boutique IP law firm in Auckland, New Zealand as a Senior Consultant.  There Nicky gained exposure to New Zealand, Australia and Pacific Island countries trade mark laws and systems, as well as to the Madrid System for the International Registration of Marks. The experience and knowledge accumulated in her time in New Zealand will no doubt contribute to her subject-matter expertise going forward.

Over and above her many years in practice, Nicky also holds lecturing experience at tertiary level where she lectured IP professionals on behalf of the Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIPL) and as a guest lecturer for LLM students at the University of Pretoria.

BIOGRAPHY

Phindulo Munyai

Associate Attorney

Phindulo is a energetic young black woman. She holds a BSc Geology degree from the University of Pretoria and an LLB from the University of South Africa. She started her legal career at a prominent large black firm as a paralegal and progressed through to being an admitted attorney.

She has experience in commercial, labour, administrative law, contracts, mining and environmental law. Phindulo has worked with various parastatals on high value and highly complex matters. She has soft spot for disadvantaged persons, especially women, children and the elderly. Her interest is in mining and environmental law, and her wish is to contribute positively in these fields.

BIOGRAPHY

Bongani Mdakane

Consultant – Attorney

Bongani Mdakane is an admitted attorney with over 12 years of experience in the legal fraternity. He holds an LLB from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and a Postgraduate Diploma in Drafting and Interpretation of Contracts from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). 

Bongani started his legal career at Spoor & Fisher, where he served articles and specialised in Trade Mark and Copyright Law.  He would later obtain an opportunity to expand his legal experience outside of Intellectual Property Law when he joined Lexcorp, a legal insurance company offering general legal services to its policyholder clients. This is where Bongani gained exposure to Labour Law, Family Law and Criminal law. Following his time at Lexcorp, Bongani gained Commercial Law experience by serving as a Commercial Legal Advisor at Clientele Legal’s Business/SMME department. 

In this role at Clientele Legal, Bongani’s duties involved drafting and reviewing contracts, advising companies on statutory compliance including, (without limitation) the Consumer Protection Act, and Labour Relations Act, instituting disciplinary hearings and carrying out debt collection. In addition, Bongani managed litigation matters. 

An ardent music lover, it was Bongani’s long-held wish to merge his legal experience with his love for music. This opportunity came in the form of the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) where Bongani served as a Legal Advisor. At SAMRO, Bongani obtained invaluable experience in the music industry, particularly in the context of collective management. 

Notably, Bongani was part of the team which made written submissions to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on the Copyright Amendment Bill. Eager to continue his work in the music industry, Bongani joined one of the leading independent record labels, Ambitiouz Entertainment as a Legal and Business Affairs Manager.  

This role at Ambitiouz Entertainment involved, (without limitation), drafting, reviewing, and negotiating Artist Agreements, Licence Agreements, Endorsement Agreements, Performance Agreements, Publishing Agreements, Distribution Agreements, and Joint Venture Agreements. The role also involved publishing administration and management of litigation matters. During his tenure at Ambitiouz Entertainment, Bongani joined the Composers, Authors, and Publishers Association (CAPASSO) as a Non-Executive Director. 

BIOGRAPHY

Allan John Rabie

Consultant – Patent Attorney

Allan John Rabie combines a rich background in industrial chemistry with a profound legal acumen, making him a distinguished member of our patent law team. With a unique blend of technical and legal qualifications, Allan offers an in-depth understanding of the complexities in patent law, especially in the chemical domain.  

Allan holds a BSc in Industrial Chemistry, a BSc (Hons) in Polymer Chemistry, and a Master’s Degree in Polymer Chemistry. His extensive knowledge in these areas underpins his expertise in handling chemical patents. He pursued his legal passion with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law and further specialised in patent law, obtaining his Patent Attorney registration.  

Prior to his legal career, Allan spent 6 years in the chemical industry, contributing significantly to pharmaceutical and polymer-related companies. This experience grants him an authentic perspective in understanding clients’ technical needs. Allan has been an active attorney for 11 years, with 8 of those years as a registered Patent Attorney. His legal journey is marked by noteworthy achievements and continuous learning. 

Allan specialises in drafting mechanical and chemical patent specifications, tailoring each to meet the stringent requirements of patent law. He has a proven track record in prosecuting chemical patents both in South Africa and internationally, demonstrating a keen ability to navigate complex legal landscapes. His experience extends to chemical patent litigation within South Africa, where he has successfully represented clients in high-stakes cases. 

Allan’s multidisciplinary expertise, combined with his dedication to the field of patent law, makes him an invaluable asset to our team and to clients seeking nuanced legal guidance in the chemical industry. 

BIOGRAPHY

Florence Tshaya

Office Manager & Legal Secretary

Florence Tshaya, is an Intellectual Property Administrator and Searcher with 7 years’ experience in intellectual property searches and reporting. Florence gained valuable searching, analyses and reporting experience while employed by Spoor & Fisher Attorneys. During these years, she established highly valuable knowledge in intellectual property. Florence is also well versed in building and maintaining strong business relationships and stakeholder management.