When your mother lives with renal failure for ten years, you learn more than medical terminology – you learn strength, perseverance, and the quiet dignity of facing each day with purpose. Just as a person with renal failure relies on external support like dialysis to do what the body cannot, Faheqa Adam grew up understanding that even the strongest people sometimes need backup – and that providing that kind of steady, reliable support can be one of the most powerful things a person can offer. It’s no surprise, then, that she found her way into a career where offering support, insight, and solutions is exactly what she does.
Raised in Durban’s Overport neighbourhood, Faheqa comes from a family of four, where unity and love weren’t just buzzwords – they were the rhythm of daily life. Her mother, even while battling her illness, was a beacon of resilience. She continued to work, pouring her energy into ensuring that Faheqa and her sister had the chance to pursue their education. That selfless dedication left a deep imprint on Faheqa’s worldview and instilled in her the kind of drive that can’t be taught in a textbook.
From a young age, Faheqa knew she wanted to be an attorney – not for prestige or power, but because she genuinely wanted to help people. And now, as a Dispute Resolution Official at the Consolidated Employers’ Organisation (CEO), that’s exactly what she does. Whether she’s guiding employers through the stormy seas of labour disputes or helping them manage tricky terminations and burnout-related challenges, Faheqa brings both her bubbly personality and her sharp legal mind to every matter.
Her journey to CEO was sparked by a colleague’s referral, but it quickly became much more than just a job. The organisation’s vision – focused on understanding its members and building meaningful relationships – resonated deeply with her. In many ways, it mirrors the environment she was raised in: a place where care, integrity and showing up for one another matter.
Friends and colleagues would describe Faheqa as strong, smart and outspoken – with a hint of sass and a whole lot of spark. She’s not afraid to speak her mind, but always with heart. Whether she’s litigating with finesse or singing along to Lionel Richie after hours, she brings her whole self to everything she does.
While she’s proud of becoming an attorney and thriving as a litigator, Faheqa’s dreams don’t stop there. She envisions a future where she owns her own property, perhaps even her own practice – somewhere between the rhythm of a Lionel Richie ballad and the comfort of steak and prawns at Empire Steak. And although she’d like to go back and finish her Masters someday, she’s not one to dwell on regrets. Like any good litigator, she’s focused on what’s next.
Off the clock, music is her go-to. It keeps her centred, inspired, and energised – a kind of daily therapy she never skips. She’s also working on giving her mental health the same attention she gives her legal briefs, aiming to be more socially engaged while maintaining her professional edge.
Faheqa Adam is living proof that even when life throws you the hardest of circumstances, you can come out with clarity, compassion and a whole lot of courage. Like her mother, she’s determined to leave things better than she found them – whether that’s a family, a member’s business, or the broader legal community.