The race for leadership in Zimbabwe’s legal profession is taking shape ahead of the 2027 Law Society of Zimbabwe Council Elections, with incumbent Vice President Mrs Rachel Chibaya-Sibanda seeking re-election to represent the Harare Region on a platform centred on institutional reform, professional welfare, mentorship and the protection of practitioners’ rights. Campaigning under the slogan “Delivered. Now let’s finish the job,” Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda is presenting an ambitious manifesto that seeks to consolidate existing achievements while addressing some of the pressing challenges facing legal practitioners, particularly young lawyers and women in the profession.
Her campaign is anchored in the belief that the Law Society must go beyond its regulatory responsibilities and become an institution that actively protects, supports and advances the interests of every practitioner. With more than 15 years of experience in the legal profession, a background in private practice and involvement in institutional governance, Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda is placing professional development, collective leadership and lasting institutional impact at the centre of her re-election bid.
Her journey to the legal profession began with humble educational beginnings at Mwenezi Government High School and Chegato High School, institutions that formed part of her formative academic years before she proceeded to the University of Zimbabwe. Her progression from these school foundations to becoming a senior figure in the country’s legal profession provides an important dimension to her professional story, particularly her emphasis on mentorship, access to opportunities and supporting the next generation of legal practitioners.
Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Zimbabwe, obtained in 2009, and a Master of Laws in Commercial Law, completed in 2022. Her professional experience covers commercial law, corporate governance, property law, banking, mining, infrastructure development, arbitration and litigation. In 2016, she founded R. Chibaya Law Chambers, establishing a legal practice that has enabled her to combine professional practice with institutional leadership and mentorship initiatives.
Her manifesto, titled “A Record of Service, Leadership and Collective Achievement”, places emphasis on individual commitment and collective leadership, arguing that lasting institutional progress requires the participation and contribution of the wider legal fraternity. It outlines personal initiatives she has undertaken alongside collective achievements delivered through the Law Society Council during her tenure.
A significant component of her record is mentorship, empowerment and professional growth. According to her manifesto, Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda has mentored law students across Zimbabwean universities in academic excellence, professional ethics and career development. She has also personally guided more than five aspiring legal practitioners in establishing their own law firm practices, helping them navigate the transition from legal training to independent professional practice.
Her commitment to young women entering the profession is reflected in an annual internship initiative through which her law chambers has hosted between five and six young women interns, providing financial assistance to help cover their living expenses. The initiative seeks to create practical opportunities for aspiring female lawyers while supporting their professional development.
The manifesto also identifies several collective achievements undertaken during her service on the Law Society Council. Among these is the introduction of the Law Society Weekly Bulletin, which was intended to strengthen communication with members by providing timely updates on professional and regulatory developments. Improved communication remains important in ensuring that practitioners are informed about decisions, developments and opportunities affecting their work.
Another highlighted initiative is the establishment of a Psychosocial Department dedicated to practitioner wellbeing. The department provides support and counselling to members experiencing personal, financial and health-related challenges. The inclusion of practitioner wellbeing in the Society’s institutional agenda recognises that the demands of legal practice extend beyond professional responsibilities and can have significant effects on the personal lives of practitioners.
Digital transformation is another area highlighted in the manifesto. Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda points to the introduction of a Management Information System aimed at modernising the processing of practising certificate applications, improving access to Society information and enhancing administrative efficiency. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to make the institution more responsive to members through technology.
Her manifesto also identifies progress towards equal access to deeds digitisation, particularly through the implementation of digitised deeds registration processes. The objective is to promote fair access and create opportunities for all practitioners involved in conveyancing. The expansion of digital services has the potential to improve efficiency and accessibility, although continued attention to implementation and equal participation will remain important.
Workplace protection is another area of focus. The manifesto highlights the delivery of a sexual harassment policy intended to protect women, young lawyers and the wider legal profession against workplace harassment. Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda is proposing that this work be strengthened through immediate attention to sexual harassment cases in professional workplaces, recognising the importance of safe and respectful working environments.
Looking ahead, her manifesto describes the next term as a period for consolidating progress and completing outstanding reforms. For young lawyers, she proposes championing fair labour practices, including advocacy for a decent minimum wage and better working conditions. This is particularly significant for junior practitioners who may face financial pressures and unequal working arrangements as they establish their careers.
She also intends to pursue the finalisation of a Tripartite Agreement involving law firm principals, the Law Society and young lawyers. The proposed agreement is intended to establish clearer checks and balances within the regulatory environment while addressing the professional and workplace relationship between young practitioners and their employers. The initiative seeks to promote fairness, accountability and a more structured approach to the development of young lawyers.
Restoring confidence in the Law Society is another central pillar of her proposed agenda. Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda argues that the institution must be recognised not only for regulating practitioners but also for protecting, supporting and advancing their interests. This approach places the relationship between the Society and its membership at the centre of institutional reform, with the aim of strengthening trust, transparency and professional representation.
Her proposed bridging of the generational divide seeks to encourage stronger collaboration between senior and junior practitioners. The manifesto recognises the value of combining the experience of established lawyers with the fresh perspectives and ideas of younger members of the profession. Through mentorship, professional engagement and shared opportunities, she wants to encourage a more inclusive legal fraternity in which knowledge and experience are transferred across generations.
Professional independence also features prominently in her proposals. Drawing on her previous experience as Chairperson of the Council’s Human Rights Committee, Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda commits to defending the right of every practitioner to represent clients without intimidation or interference. The independence of legal practitioners is an important component of access to justice and the rule of law, as lawyers must be able to discharge their professional responsibilities without improper pressure.
The manifesto further proposes expanding professional opportunities for lawyers in government, commerce and various industries. Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda wants to advocate for equitable access to board appointments and leadership positions, particularly for women, while promoting professional development training tailored to different areas of legal practice. The proposal recognises that the contribution of lawyers extends beyond conventional law firm environments into corporate governance, public administration, commerce and other sectors.
On legislative reform, she proposes facilitating submissions by practitioners on amendments to the Legal Practitioners Act. The objective is to ensure that the voice of the legal profession is adequately represented in discussions shaping legislation that directly affects its regulation and operations. Greater consultation can provide lawmakers and regulators with practical perspectives from those working within the profession.
Modernising advertising and publicity guidelines is another proposed reform. Her manifesto calls for a review of existing guidelines to reflect the realities of the digital age while preserving professional dignity, ethical standards and fair competition. As legal practitioners increasingly use digital platforms to communicate their services, the Society faces the challenge of ensuring that professional advertising evolves without compromising the integrity of the profession.
A further priority is the finalisation of the Law Society’s Strategic Plan. As the current Chairperson of the Society’s Finance Committee, Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda says she is driving the process in collaboration with management and appointed consultants. Her manifesto emphasises the importance of preserving institutional memory and leadership continuity while translating the Society’s collective vision into measurable priorities and sustainable progress.
Beyond her responsibilities within the Law Society, Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda has also been involved in institutional governance. She previously served as Chairperson of the Council of Women’s University in Africa and as Vice Chairperson of the National Pharmaceutical Company of Zimbabwe, commonly known as NatPharm. She also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking. These roles have provided experience in organisational oversight, strategic planning and institutional decision-making.
Her regional engagement includes her election to the Council of the Southern African Development Community Lawyers’ Association in July 2026, alongside Law Society of Zimbabwe President Mr Linos Ncube. The appointment provides an opportunity to contribute to regional discussions on professional cooperation, the rule of law, constitutionalism and access to justice.
The 2027 Council Elections will provide members of the legal profession with an opportunity to examine the candidates’ experience, institutional contributions and proposed priorities. For the Harare Region, the election will determine who represents its practitioners in the Society’s governance structures at a time when the profession is navigating technological change, evolving commercial demands and questions surrounding the welfare and independence of legal practitioners.
Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda’s manifesto places considerable emphasis on moving from institutional progress to the completion of outstanding reforms. Its proposals cover the welfare of young lawyers, professional independence, mentorship, workplace protection, digital transformation, legislative reform, gender representation and strategic institutional planning.
Her campaign slogan, “Delivered. Now let’s finish the job,” captures the central theme of her re-election bid: building on the work already undertaken while pursuing a further programme of reforms intended to strengthen the Law Society and improve the professional environment for its members.
As the legal fraternity prepares for the 2027 elections, Mrs Chibaya-Sibanda is asking members to consider a programme that places the interests of practitioners, institutional accountability and the future of the profession at its centre. Her manifesto concludes with a call to bring her back into office to continue the work of strengthening the institution and advancing its collective priorities.
Nil satis nisi optimum. Nothing but the best is good enough.