Kevin Smith, 34, thought of becoming a Disney animator and ended up standing at the forefront of justice and indigenous rights. His ambitions evolved into a calling to effect tangible change for the communities he grew up in. As a partner at Ahmed Gani Attorneys, he leads in the boardroom and courtroom. His job involves managing business development, leading legal advisory services and providing legal analysis on platforms like eNCA, Newzroom Africa and SABC News. Kevin, 34, holds an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand, complemented by postgraduate qualifications in copyright law from Harvard and the University of Cape Town. His legal career includes cases such as the interdicting of the mineworkers’ union Numsa’s elections, the reinstatement of South African Federation of Trade Unions executive members, and contributing to the fundraising efforts for Caster Semenya’s legal battle. Kevin is also involved in advancing indigenous leadership and governance. His work with the United Royal House of Monarchs and the Khoi-San!Xu Khwe earned him the honour of chieftaincy. His near-death experience in 2022, surviving a collapsed lung, reinforced his belief that life is fleeting and purpose is non-negotiable.
My eldest sister, Lauren, my approach to servant leadership has been influenced by how she has displayed leadership within our family. Growing up in the township, most of our childhood was spent coming home from school and being under her supervision until our parents came home. As such, she has had to grow up very early, sacrifice her childhood and develop into a leader under her tutelage. She played a pivotal role in my development and career opportunities