PUMEZA BIJA

PROFILE SUMMERY

Pumeza Bija's journey in private practice, coupled with Presiding roles in District and Regional Courts, board appointments, and awards, underscores her belief that professional excellence, which she believes is gained through continuous improvement, faultless precision, and the courage to challenge boundaries.

In her view, becoming a distinguished legal practitioner requires a blend of intellectual ability, a clear sense of professional identity, steadfast professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in all facets of practice. Pumeza actively contributes to advancing governance and voluntary activities, particularly in organisations empowering female and black legal professionals. Her philosophy centres on 'paying it forward' and fostering positive change within the legal community.

EDUCATION

BJURIS (Vista University) - 1994
LLB (NMU) - 1999
LLM in Labour Law (NMU) - 2001

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2025 - Head of Legal, Compliance and Governance | Eastern Cape Developments Corporation

Led the organisation's legal, regulatory compliance and corporate governance portfolio.
Served as Principal advisor to Board, Board Committees and Executive Management on governance, compliance, litigation, procurement, contracts and strategic legal risk.
Oversaw Board and Committee charters, delegations of authority, governance policies, policy developments and statutory legal engagements.
Oversaw and managed a panel of more than 30 law firms appointed to support the Corporation's legal mandate.
Drafted and implemented the Service Level Agreement governing the appointments, performance and reporting obligations of the panel attorneys.

September 2025

Formally appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Cape Developments Corporation (ECDC), for a month, with responsibility for Strategic leadership, executive oversight, stakeholder engagement, governance oversight and continuity of operations.

2004 - 2024 - Founder and Managing Director | Pumeza Bija Inc.

Established and led a multidisciplinary legal practice.
Specialist in labour law, administrative law, governance advisory and dispute resolution.

TRAINING

2005 - CCMA Commissioner Training

2017 - Judicial Skills for Aspirant Judges

2018 - Judicial Skills for Aspirant Regional Court Magistrates

JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT

2015-2018 Additional Magistrate | Port Elizabeth District Court and Regional Court Magistrate
Presided over the following courts and matters:

Bail Court, Maintenance Court, Motion Court, Debtors Court, Criminal and civil trials.
Opposed applications, debt review applications, Rei vindication, S65 applications, default judgements and divorce matters.

VOLUNTARY POSITIONS

2013-2015 South African Women Lawyers' Association (SAWLA) - Eastern Cape | Treasurer

Member since 2006.
Oversaw the general financial administration of SAWLA provincial office as treasurer, including attending to and presenting the annual financial reports at the AGM.

2009 Black Conveyancers' Association (BCA) - Eastern Cape | Chairperson

2023 Black Conveyancers' Association (BCA) - Eastern Cape | Chairperson

BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

2021-2024 Eastern Cape Development Corporation | Board Member
Also served as a chairperson of the Human Resources, Remuneration, Social and Ethics Committee:

Chaired Board committee responsible for executive remuneration, ethics governance, human capital strategy and corporate citizenship.
Oversaw organisational culture, leadership accountability and compliance with governance and labour frameworks. Monitored ESG performance, including social impact, health & safety, ethics and stakeholder relations.

BOARD & STATUTORY LEADERSHIP

2025-2028 NMBM | Chairperson of the NMBM Disciplinary Board

2023 Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) | Independent facilitator for the Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS)

Facilitated and mediated contract negotiations for the IPTS and the Industry Consultative Committee engagements between the NMBM and public transport operators.

2022-2024 NMBM | Chairperson of the NMBM Valuation Appeal Board for a period of four years.

Presides over independent statutory tribunal adjudicating municipal valuation and rates appeals.
Ensures procedural fairness, administrative justice and regulatory compliance.
Strengthens transparent, accountable public decision-making.

2021-2024 Amathole District Municipality (ADM) | Chairperson of the NMBM Disciplinary Board for Financial Misconduct

2025-2028 NMBM | Chairperson of the NMBM Disciplinary Board for Financial Misconduct
(The two disciplinary boards above were established in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act and Regulations for Misconduct and Offences, with the duty to conduct investigations into any allegations of financial misconduct against senior municipal officials.)

2021 -2024 Eastern Cape Development Corporation

Non-Executive Director providing fiduciary oversight, strategic governance and regulatory accountability.
Contributed to compliance frameworks, risk oversight, organisational performance and institutional sustainability. Strengthened governance practice aligned to to FMA and King IV.

Facilitation 2023
As a facilitator, Ms Bija's responsibilities include project management, agreeing on transformation plans, chairing committees, determining processes, maintaining records, promoting discussions, conducting workshops, providing administrative support, resolving disputes, offering ancillary services and producing summary reports.

ECPDAP 2024
As a member of the Eastern Cape Property Development Advisory Panel, Ms Bija dedicates herself to enhancing property development coordination in the province. As per the panel's objectives, she fosters collaboration, explores innovative uses for state-owned properties and strategises for the sustainable commercial developments. This underscores her commitment to advancing economic growth and development in the Eastern Cape region.

HRSEC 2023-2024
Ms Bija is the chairperson of the Human Resources, Remuneration, Social and Ethics Committee, a subcommittee of the ECDC Board. The committee aids in corporate governance, focusing on remuneration, strategic human resources and adherence to ethical standards. It actively monitors and reports on the company's activities regarding social and economic developments, corporate citizenship, environment, health and safety, consumer relations and ethics.

Valuation Appeal Board 2022-2024
Ms Bija, the chairperson of the Valuation Appeal Board, recognises the significance of the Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004. Property owners, seeking to lower valuations and reduce rates, turn to the board as an independent yet increasingly public forum for appeals.

NMBM Disciplinary Board 2025-2028
In her role as chairperson on the Nelson Mandela Bay Disciplinary Board, Ms Bija develops terms of reference, assists with investigations of financial misconduct, drafts and submits reports, provides recommendations, monitors disciplinary proceedings and conducts investigations.

AWARDS

2016 Businesswomen's Association (BWA) | Winner of the BWA Regional Business Achiever Awards

2011 Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber | Top 40 under 40 Achiever Award
The awards recognise young achievers in local business, professional fields and civil society.