From humble beginnings to maritime law history - IOL

Anisa Govender, , newly appointed President of the Maritime Law Association of South Africa (MLASA), is the first Indian woman to serve as president of the association.

Kloof resident Anisa Govender has made South African maritime-law history after being appointed President of the Maritime Law Association of South Africa (MLASA) at the organization’s annual general meeting and conference.

Govender, 50, becomes only the third woman and the first of South African Indian descent to serve as president of the national association. The body was established in 1974 to promote the development of maritime law and ensure South Africa’s maritime legislation keeps pace with international developments.

For Govender, the significance of the appointment extends far beyond professional recognition.

“I have been a member of the MLA since my second year of articles and the organization has contributed immeasurably to my growth as a maritime attorney,” she said.

“To be afforded the opportunity to lead the organization is an honour. I look upon this as one of the greatest achievements in my life and career.”

Her journey to the top of the maritime legal profession began in circumstances far removed from the world of shipping, courtrooms, and international trade.

Govender grew up in humble, working-class surroundings. Her mother worked in an appliance factory while her father was a salary clerk, and she attended government schools in rural areas. Further education after matric was not guaranteed. It was her father who made the decision, on the day her matric results were released, that his daughter would continue her studies. She became the first person in her extended family to attend university.

She enrolled at the then University of Natal in January 1994, initially pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree before completing her LLB. She recalled feeling the pressure of knowing her education placed a financial burden on her parents. “I think that unease gave me greater emphasis to give off my best,” she said.

Maritime law was not part of her original career plan. During her first year of articles at Shepstone & Wylie, she was offered an opportunity to transfer to the firm's shipping department—an opportunity that came as a surprise because, at the time, male clerks were typically selected.

She took it. Her first week provided an experience she would never forget, attending an urgent ship arrest after hours and going aboard a container vessel in dry dock to take statements following a harbour incident. Her introduction to the sector came with a practical lesson, too.

“I clearly remember my first week,” she said. “It is not a good idea to go on board a vessel in a long skirt and high heels and especially not in dry dock where the gang plank is extremely far off the ground!”

Rather than being deterred, she was exhilarated. “I fell in love with this new dynamic area of law and I have not looked back,” she said.

On the ship’s bridge Maritime Law Association of South Africa President Anisa Govender takes a seat in the captain’s chair during a visit aboard a vessel, reflecting her close connection to the maritime sector.

Today, Govender is a director and head of the maritime department at Livingston Leandy, boasting more than 20 years’ experience and specialist qualifications including BA, LLB, and LLM degrees in maritime law. Her practice covers ship arrests, admiralty litigation, marine casualty response, and regulatory matters.

Her rise has unfolded against the backdrop of an industry undergoing transformation. “In my early years in the industry, there was a dire need for transformation, both across gender and colour lines,” she said. “I was often the only woman and more often than not, the only person of colour on committees.”

Govender notes the landscape has shifted, pointing to improved representation across the MLASA. Her leadership now comes with a commitment to open doors for others. She serves as a director of WISTA South Africa, which promotes gender diversity and leadership in maritime and logistics, as well as a director of the South African Maritime Training Academy.

Additionally, she will serve as a trustee of the Steven Wallace Maritime Trust, which provides scholarships for maritime legal studies.

For young people who believe they need family connections to enter the industry, Govender offers encouraging advice. “There are a wealth of opportunities, from careers at sea, land based logistics, insurance, and maritime law,” she said.

As president, her vision remains focused: “My goal during my presidency is to ensure that MLASA remains the leading voice of maritime law in South Africa while building a more inclusive, representative and sustainable maritime legal community for future generations,” she said.

Asked what she would tell the young woman stepping into an uncertain future as her family's first university student, her answer was simple: “Simply, I am so proud of you!”

Reflecting on her legacy, she added: “I would like to be remembered for having made a meaningful contribution,” she said.