Thabang completed his articles at Maserumule Incorporated Attorneys and practised as an Associate specialising in employment law. He thereafter joined Hogan Lovells South Africa and was appointed as a Senior Associate in the employment law team in 2012. He was seconded to the SA Post Office to Head its Labour Law unit. He subsequently joined the Barclays Africa Group (ABSA) as a designated employment law legal counsel for Wealth, Investment Management & Insurance (WIMI) as well as the Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB).

Thabang joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Director in 2017 from ABC Holdings Limited where he was a Regional Head responsible for industrial relations and employment law services across the African region. In 2023 he was appointed Counsel. 

  • Thabang has extensive experience in acting as independent chairperson in internal disciplinary proceedings against junior and senior employees for clients in the various economic sectors where charges against the employee range from misconduct, incompatibility, poor performance and incapacity.

  • Drafting of various court applications, opinions on all aspects of labour law.

  • Providing strategic advice to employers regarding collective bargaining, restructurings and section 197 transfers.

  • Providing opinions to employers on all aspects of employment law.

  • Advising clients on dismissals/unfair labour practice disputes.

  • Advising on restraint of trades.

  • Drafting of employment contracts and HR policies.

  • Representing executives in dismissals/unfair labour practices.

  • Chairing disciplinary enquiries and representing various company's at the CCMA and the Labour Court.

  • Conducting employment audits.

  • Compiling employment law packages for clients.

  • Presenting to clients on various pieces of legislation.

  • Drafting papers for urgent applications, unfair dismissals, retrenchments, transfers, prosecuting and opposing review applications, rescission application, and interlocutory application.

  • Facilitation of urgent interdict applications relating to strikes.

  • The Legal 500 EMEA 2023 recommended Thabang for employment

Education

  • LLB, University of The Witwatersrand
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Law, University of Johannesburg
  • Year of admission as an attorney: 2010
  • Registered with the Legal Practice Council

Memberships

  • South African Society for Labour Law (SASLAW)
Retrenchments during COVID19
20 July 2020 Employment Law

Retrenchments during COVID19

Employment Director Thabang Rapuleng joined Newzroom Afrika to discuss measures employees and employers can take in their risk assessing methods amidst an impending retrenchment season, as business battle the economic pressures of COVID-19.

Advice on what to do and not to do during the season
20 December 2019 Employment Law

Advice on what to do and not to do during the season

Can an employer take disciplinary action for misconduct and what you post on your social media platforms during the festive season. Employment Director, Thabang Rapuleng discusses this further on Newzroom Africa.

Impact of load shedding on ordinary South Africans
8 April 2019 Employment Law

Impact of load shedding on ordinary South Africans

Thabang Rapuleng, Director in our Employment practice features on eNCA. He discusses the implications of load shedding on business and the rights of employers and employees .

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Politics in an office context
17 November 2021 Employment Law

Politics in an office context

Whilst the local government elections have come and gone, the conversations regarding political parties are likely to linger on at the proverbial watercooler. Thabang Rapuleng, Director in our Employment Law practice discussed some of the boundaries to be mindful off in the workplace, with Smile FM.

Wage offer for public sector employees
4 August 2021 Employment Law

Wage offer for public sector employees

Thabang Rapuleng, Director in the Employment Law practice joined Cape Talk to discuss the wage offer for public sector employees. He explains that this is a compromise for government , workers and the unions.

Cape Talk - Returning to work in the new normal
9 June 2021 Employment Law

Cape Talk - Returning to work in the new normal

Thabang Rapuleng, Director in the Employment Law practice joined Cape Talk to discuss returning to the office and employment law for employers and employees in the 'new normal'. He unpacks the cornerstone of a good working relationship being honesty, trust and good faith on both the part of the employer and employees. Listen to the interview here (BITLY)

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