Born in Pietermaritzburg in 1978, Naheem Ebrahim Essop attended Ridge View Primary School and matriculated from Esther Payne Smith Secondary School in 1996. He went on to study Civil Engineering at the Natal Technikon but due to financial constraints he left after the first semester and found employment at Belgotex Carpets in Pietermaritzburg as a machine operator.

In 1999, Naheem was offered an opportunity by his father to return to his studies which he gratefully accepted.

He enrolled at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, in the year 2000 under the Media & Communication degree choosing Legal Studies as a major. At the end of his first year he knew that he wanted to do law and converted to the 4 year Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and graduated at the end of 2003, being one of the last graduates under the old University of Natal banner prior to its conversion to the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

He served articles for a period of 6 months at Afzal Akoo & Partners and then effected a cession of the remainder of his articles to Anand Pillay & Associates.

During Naheem’s first year of articles he became a member of NADEL (National Association of Democratic Lawyers) and was voted on to the Branch Executive Committee where he served as the Secretary. He is currently still serving on the branch executive committee without portfolio.

During his articles he also served on the executive committee of the Pietermaritzburg Candidate Attorneys Association as the fund-raising officer.

Upon being admitted as an Attorney in 2006, Naheem took up a position as a Professional Assistant at Lister & Lister Attorneys in Pietermaritzburg.

He worked there for a period of 2 years and joined J Leslie Smith & Company in March 2008 as a Professional Assistant in the litigation department where he deals with general litigation.

The range of matters which he deals with includes commercial litigation and contractual disputes; civil litigation including damages claims; divorce, maintenance and protection orders, care and contact issues; labour disputes including representations at the CCMA; and criminal litigation. He deals with matters in the Supreme Court of Appeal, High Court, Magistrate’s Court, CCMA, Regional and District Courts as well as Appeal Boards.

Naheem is an avid supporter of all codes of sport with a particular interest in soccer and cricket. He valiantly attempts to showcase his skills in these sports at any opportunity but has been wisely advised not to give up his day job.

He also has a love for music, art, poetry, and anything that challenges the mind.