Defying all odds

It was the warm smile of Georgian, Johannes Jumat, that first got him into the limelight and won him a R20 000 employee prize in 2002, while working as a security guard at Nedbank.

But it was through sheer hard work and a willingness to study all hours that he is now a fully-fledged attorney at Raubenheimers in George.

his pleasant manner and positive attitude was noticed by Gustav Pienaar, now a retired director of Raubenheimers Attorneys

It was while he was working as a security guard, that his pleasant manner and positive attitude was noticed by Gustav Pienaar, now a retired director of Raubenheimers Attorneys. He offered Jumat a job as messenger as well as a company bursary to study part-time for a law degree and Jumat grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

The man who matriculated from Parkdene High in 1995, defied all odds by obtaining his LLB law degree through the University of SA (Unisa) in October 2010.

Jumat became a candidate attorney at Raubenheimers and then successfully completed his admissions to the bar exam on 14 December last year. He is now a fully practising attorney and is most grateful to his wife, Yolanda, for supporting him all the way.
In 2011 he was quoted in an ar-ticle in the George Herald as saying: “It is surprising how people love to help someone who is willing to help himself.”

James Claasen, a director at Raubenheimers, said all the team members are very proud of him.

Hard work does pay off … Georgian, Johannes Jumat (35), passed his attorney admission exams and is now practising at Raubenheimers Attorneys. Photo: Pauline Lourens