Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's lawyers have traditionally extended pro
bono assistance in response to individual requests and have acted pro amico or
for reduced fees or disbursements only for charitable and philanthropic
organisations whose vision and mission they share. In this way they have worked
for organisations or community groups such as Round Table and Rotary Club (John
Gomes, Andrew Heiberg and Ashley Adriaans), the Kuyasa Fund and the District
Six Museum Foundation (Brent Williams and Gillian Lumb), the Elton John Aids
Foundation (Emma Kingdon) and the Business Women Association's "Succeed"
Programme (Preeta Bhagattjee and Matshipi Mabane) and Marang House for
seriously ill children (Hans Evenhuis).
More recently, the firm's pro bono work has been organised
through lawyers dedicating their expertise in particular focus fields. This not
only provides a better service to our pro bono clients, but also develops
deeper resources of knowledge and more extensive networks. This has resulted in
our pro bono focus being now principally in the area of education and skills
development.
We act as pro bono legal counsel for educational organisations
and associations of schools in the independent sector, and assist schools in
impoverished areas (such as Orange Farm and Mooinooi) with their governance and
structural issues and donations. We have represented the sector in submissions
to government and parliament in sector-related legislation (such as the
Municipal Property Rates Bill 2004, the Convergence Bill 2005 and tax-exemption
matters).
