Some children learn the alphabet from a classroom wall. Afrika Somthi learnt it as a life strategy. If Plan A does not work, her mother taught her, there are still 25 other letters waiting their turn. Keep moving forward. It is funny, memorable, and very Afrika, because behind the line is a whole philosophy of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to sit down just because the first option did not behave itself.
Afrika grew up in Libode in the Eastern Cape, raised largely by her maternal grandmother while her mother travelled in search of work. It was a small-town childhood, full of siblings, cousins, and the kind of community that means you are rarely alone and almost never anonymous. Her grandmother, the family matriarch, was resourcefulness in human form. She sewed, sold clothes, raised livestock, and found ways to keep the household moving. Long before Afrika entered the world of labour law, she was already watching practical problem-solving in action.
Her mother remains her greatest influence, and it is easy to see why. From piece jobs to working in the mines, she showed Afrika that life does not always hand you the neat version of the plan. Sometimes you have to move from A to B, skip C entirely, then discover that M was the better route all along. That example shaped Afrika’s instinct to keep going, even when the path is uncertain.
Her interest in labour law also has roots in that family story. Her mother’s work in the mining sector exposed her to the world of industrial relations, but the spark became a flame during her undergraduate studies when she took a course called Labour Relations, Law and Context. She found it fascinating, and the direction became clear. Labour law offered the mix she was drawn to, with people, rules, fairness, workplace relationships, and the chance to help resolve problems before they become bigger than they need to be.
Afrika’s own education journey took her from Mdlankomo Junior Secondary School in her village to Holy Cross Education Centre in Mthatha, then to the University of KwaZulu-Natal for her first degree, and finally to the University of Venda for her LLB. Earning that LLB is one of her proudest achievements, especially because starting a new qualification without guaranteed funding was daunting. But then again, this is someone raised on the full alphabet. If the road is difficult, you do not stop reading the sentence. You turn the page.
She joined CEO as a Senior Legal Assistant and later advanced to Dispute Resolution Official, a progression that says a lot about her appetite for growth. What she values most about CEO is the team culture, with colleagues who are willing to assist, share knowledge, and work together towards a common goal. That environment suits her. Friends describe her as nurturing, solution-driven and approachable, and once she is comfortable, a bit of a talker. In dispute resolution, that is a useful combination. You need the warmth to put people at ease, the focus to cut through the noise, and the voice to say what needs to be said.
Her view of employer challenges is practical and grounded. Poorly drafted employment contracts, minimum wage non-compliance, and deteriorating workplace relationships are not abstract risks. They are the kinds of issues that can turn one small workplace wobble into a full alphabet of problems. Afrika’s role is to help employers see the risk early, manage it properly, and avoid learning the hard way that Plan A should probably have included better paperwork.
Outside work, Afrika keeps things simple and comforting. Green tea is non-negotiable, because apparently some people need coffee and others have chosen peace. She enjoys movies, podcasts, novels, and anything from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which feels fitting for someone who appreciates strength, storytelling and a good rescue mission. Her favourite food is tripe and dumplings, the sort of hearty traditional meal that reminds you that home has its own kind of superpower.
Afrika’s future vision is to grow into a senior leadership role in law or dispute resolution, helping to shape fair labour practices and sustainable employment relationships. It is an ambitious picture, but not an unrealistic one. She has already learnt the most important lesson from her mother and grandmother. There is nearly always another way forward. You just have to know your alphabet.