Well-known resident, lawyer and municipal councillor, Maritza du Plessis, believes in giving her best on a daily basis.

Maritza du Plessis

“Grab what comes your way with enthusiasm and do the best you can!”
Du Plessis’ legal practice celebrates its 15th birthday in Hartbeespoort this year, and she ascribes its ongoing success to professional and personal attention. “To me, it is important that clients know they can contact me anytime. I strongly believe a client should not be treated as a case but as a person. I am there for them until completion of the case,” she says.
Maritza specialises in property transfers and estates. “The court was never for me. As an article clerk, I worked with estates, and I found it very interesting. Working with estates and property transfers, you do it and finish it. Litigation is a continued fight, and you don’t know the outcome. One has more control in my field, and I like having control,” she laughs.
Born and raised in Hartbeespoort, Maritza studied law at the University of Pretoria and returned to Hartbeespoort to open a practice. “Once you drink Hartbeespoort Dam water, you can’t leave. I am a one-man band and do everything, along with my conveyancing typists. I prefer it this way, the personal interaction with clients is extremely important to me. It immediately fosters a relationship built on trust. And I want to thank them all for their support over the past 15 years.”
In 2016, she got involved in municipal issues and was elected as a Madibeng ward councillor. “One cannot complain about everything and then sit back to wait for something to happen. I realised if I wanted to make a difference, I had to get involved. This is my town, I love it, and I want to improve it and address the daily issues. Despite the obstacles and frustration, I like it. I am not the type of person who can just let things go, I want to fix it. I am a perfectionist and full of nonsense. I want things done in a certain manner, and I want to fix things. I know, I am a sucker for punishment…”

Maritza and one of the loves of her life, Lollos.

Outside of her profession as a lawyer and duties as a councillor, she is very private. Behind the professional persona is a woman with a sharp sense of humour who sees the funny in the smallest things.
One of her big passions is travel! Along with her life partner of 23 years, they travel extensively to discover the small jewels in South Africa. “We travel to find those unknown and weird small places hidden away in our country. I love seeing new places. My dream job would be one as a travel critic. Imagine being on holiday for a living and getting paid for it!”
And she loves good food. “Yes, I am a foodie. I am passionate about good food. We explore restaurants and good food. I don’t cook every day, but when I do, I do it well. Everything has to be perfect.”
The other love in her life is her 11-year-old Pekinese, Lollos. She is the most spoiled dog you can imagine. She has five beds, a staircase to the couch, and she rules my life. I love her to bits.”
She believes in making the most of every day. “I am the type of person who can be furious one moment and then laugh about it the next. I don’t hold on to grudges. Life is too short and too valuable to waste time with negative emotions. Humour is extremely important. One must be able to laugh, it might just prolong your life. I think I would be like the actress Betty White… 99 with a glass of wine in the hand, and there I go…”