Finding Her Own Path, Elzani Broughton
Elzani Broughton is an attorney, conveyancer, notary public and managing director of Serfontein & Richards Attorneys, a firm that has specialised in conveyancing and deceased estates for 30 years. Her own journey into leadership has been remarkably rapid. Having joined the firm as a candidate attorney in 2018, she qualified across her chosen fields before being appointed managing director just six years later, at the age of 32 and while two months pregnant with twins. “I took over and ran with it,” she recalls.
For Elzani, the achievement is not simply about reaching a senior position at a relatively young age. It represents a journey shaped by hard work, determination, adaptability and the belief that there is value in finding one’s own path rather than feeling pressured to have everything figured out from the start.
A Strong Work Ethic
Elzani grew up in Ballito in a humble, hardworking family. Her parents instilled a strong work ethic and encouraged her to make the most of the opportunities available to her. “We were always pushed that you have to do well, you have to work hard. Nothing is ever given to you in life,” she says.
Her career path was far from straightforward. She first studied civil engineering at university, changed direction towards marketing, later pursued quantity surveying and eventually settled on law. “I think it was always business oriented, but I just wasn’t always sure what direction,” she says.
Her journey has shaped her advice to young people who are uncertain about their future. She encourages them to remain open to new possibilities rather than feeling bound to their original plans. “It’s okay to change. It’s okay to maybe steer away from the path that you thought you were going to go on, but eventually life is going to direct you the way that it’s going to. However, whatever you do, do it right and do it properly, do it ethically.”
Her own childhood ambitions were also quite different from her eventual career. A keen sportswoman, Elzani once imagined becoming a professional tennis or netball player. Alongside her professional aspirations, she always wanted to become a mother. Today, she considers herself fortunate to have achieved both motherhood and a successful business career, although the reality has demanded considerable commitment.
A People Centred Approach
Elzani’s attraction to law lies in its human dimension. Working in property and deceased estates means helping people through some of the most significant financial and emotional experiences of their lives.
She sees the role of the legal professional as one of guidance rather than intimidation. “We love to work together with them, make the process the best for them, and see them through the journey,” she explains. “We want to be approachable, approach the matter with kindness, not fear, and just show them that we’re there to lead them every step of the way.”
That people centred philosophy is equally evident in the way she leads her own team. Since taking over as managing director, she says the greatest impact she has made has been on the people within the business.
Rather than simply assessing her own contribution, Elzani asked her team what they believed had changed. Their feedback highlighted the opportunities she creates for learning, development and open communication.
“They’ve mentioned that I’ve motivated them, that they actually now want to come to work, want to better themselves, want to upgrade themselves now because there is just that fresh energy of motivation. I think it’s very important for me that they believe in themselves and give them the opportunity to also take something head on, but know that I am supporting you, but I’m not micromanaging you.”
Her approach has been influenced by two women who founded Serfontein & Richards and established the firm’s legacy over three decades. “They’ve been a big inspiration for me in paving the way for me to continue their legacy and believing in me and showing me what it means to be a good leader,” she says.
Making Room for Others
One of Elzani’s achievements has been balancing the demands of leadership with becoming a mother to twins. Her children arrived early and spent time in intensive care. “I didn’t have the luxury of taking maternity leave, so I would be sitting in ICU, still working, still needing to sign the documents,” she recalls.
The experience was demanding, but it also reinforced her belief that professional and family responsibilities do not necessarily have to compete with one another. “The more present I am at work, the better mum I am at home. And I think vice versa, the more present I am at home, the better I can lead at work.”
Looking ahead, she has ambitious plans for the firm. She hopes to establish two additional branch offices over the next five years and secure places on at least three more bank conveyancing panels. Growth, however, is not only about expanding the business. It is also about creating opportunities for the next generation.
“I would love to take more candidate attorneys, to be able to teach them and grow them so that they can have a future one day, but a safe environment to learn from.”
For Elzani, balance is found in the quieter moments rather than through a perfectly structured schedule. Early mornings with her children, walks along the beach and weekends spent together as a family provide an opportunity to step away from the demands of business and appreciate the present.
As a young woman in a senior leadership role, she admits that moments of self-doubt can still arise. “Sometimes you feel like an imposter, still being quite young like I am. You sometimes feel like you’re not supposed to belong in this space.”
Recognition, therefore, carries meaning beyond the accolade itself. “My work is my signature. It’s just nice to be recognised that what I’m doing matters and the impact that I’ve made matters and it’s important.”
