Emalahleni – There is nothing other than law that Nonkululeko Arsula Ntuli ever wanted since childhood.
“I’ve always had a passion for justice, so it’s always been evident. I’ve never had a career plan B; it has always been justice, and nothing else. I think that is the reason I am happy,” says the founder of Arsula Attorneys.
Ntuli has built a business rooted in community impact. She believes in empowering women and promoting independence, and her firm has partnered with various stakeholders to address issues related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
She emphasises the need for women to be independent and self-sufficient, and her firm has implemented initiatives to support women in the community. Through her work, Ntuli aims to create opportunities for women to acquire skills and build their own businesses, helping them to break the cycle of poverty and dependence.
For 2025 Women’s Month, she says, “We did GBV cases for free for women for the entire month of August as a commemoration of Women’s Month.”
Ntuli’s passion for justice and her commitment to community building are evident in her work. She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and believes in the importance of skills transfer and entrepreneurship.
Her firm recently signed a memorandum of agreement with the Nkangala District Municipality to offer internships to graduates who want to serve articles to build their work experience.
Her firm has partnered with various stakeholders to address issues related to GBV, and she has implemented initiatives to support women and girls in the community. Ntuli believes in the importance of collaboration and partnership and works closely with other organizations and stakeholders to achieve her goals.
Ntuli’s childhood was normal.
She has two siblings and describes herself as a reserved yet bubbly person. She says her parents’ influence – a father who is a retired teacher and her mother was an estate agent— played a significant role in shaping her optimistic outlook and encouraging her to explore her interests.
She attended Robert Carruthers Primary School and later pursued her high school education at Patriot High School, where she completed her Grade 12. She then went to the University of Pretoria, where she graduated with her LLB and served articles with Ngomana Attorneys in Witbank, laying the foundation for a successful career in law.
Work with proper administration
Ntuli admits that she hasn’t found a perfect work-life balance but has learned to manage her time effectively. “I think with proper administration, I know where I have to be and when to be, and every so often, I’m able to plan around so my plans don’t involve Monday or Thursday. They don’t have a day; if things are to get done, they have to, even if it means on a Saturday or Sunday,” Ntuli says.
She prioritises her tasks, plans, and makes time for relaxation and recuperation. Despite the demands of her business, Ntuli is optimistic about the future and the impact she can make in her community.
Through her work, Ntuli is inspiring others to pursue their passions and make a difference in their communities. She believes in the importance of independence and self-sufficiency and encourages women to take control of their lives and build their own businesses.
“There is no better feeling than a feeling of independence and having given yourself something because you know that no matter what may happen, you own whatever you have built yourself,” she says. “I don’t think we stress that enough. Having your own thing in life is very important – having your own car, your own house, your own things. Just have your own things in general. Be independent; everything else is an accessory, no matter how small it is, but it’s yours.”
