Sonja & Maryke, co-founders of PMRI, a brand that empowers legal practitioners to attain unparalleled excellence, find balance in their personal lives, and transcend the boundaries of traditional legal practice in South Africa.
The business is on a mission to enhance cognitive abilities, personal resilience, and professional expertise through comprehensive courses and workshops tailored specifically for legal professionals.
Before you read, click here to read part one of this interview with Sonja & Maryke, Co-founders of PMRI.
What’s your favourite travel destinations in Africa and why?
Maryke: I went to the DRC not too long ago, the nature there is quite beautiful and I think Sonja’s favorite place is in South Africa, the Breton bar by where she often goes because it just brings that sense of calm. For me, it’s any place with the Seaside.
Sonja: We’ve got such a beautiful continent. I have not traveled a lot in Africa because I’m a lawyer, so I’ve just been working, but I have gone up to Zambia, to the Big Falls, I don’t know if you’ve ever been to the Big Falls, it is incredible, the people are so nice.
Africa is just such a protected jewel actually, and I would actually prefer people don’t come too much to Africa and if we don’t have too many tourists coming in here, but anyway, I think it’s a beautiful continent.
What hobby do you enjoy in your free time and how does it help you relax?
Maryke: I love reading and rock climbing. That’s my thing.
Sonja: I also enjoy reading, but sometimes, my eyes don’t want to read anymore. And then I also enjoy walking. I love going for long walks and just, just switching.
What’s the best book you read recently and how did it impact your life?
Maryke: For me, my first eye-opener was Rich Dad Poor Dad. That was years ago. I think that was my very first book that opened my mind to the possibility of thinking and doing things outside of the box that we’re used to. And one book I have to mention that everybody has to read is The Untethered Soul.
Sonja: Atomic habits by James Clear. It’s just stayed with me, how many small habits we have in our lives. And once you really start looking at them, it is actually very easy just to start changing them. But we never think about it. So for me, that’s been a great one.
If you could have dinner with any African historical figure, who will that be and why?
Sonja: For me, it will have to be President Nelson Mandela. I was a law student when the country went through its change. And I had the privilege when I actually got my legal degree that he was there that day. He got his honorary doctorate degree in law because he was a lawyer as well.
And he came and spoke to us and he was an absolute gentleman. When he walked out, he stopped and shook my hand and in my native language Afrikaans he actually congratulated me and told me you know all the best for your future. For me, Nelson Mandela is absolutely our South African icon.
Maryke: I think I didn’t even know that about you Sonia but it’ll probably be the same but for different reasons. If I could have a conversation to know how he manages to change people’s minds. I would have loved to know how he went about that.
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