About Connie
"I am a holder of B.Iuris and LLB degrees from the University of Pretoria. Having previously worked as a Public Prosecutor and an Estates Officer in the fiduciary industry, I opened my own law firm in 2011, called Connie Ntsoko Attorneys Inc."
"For years I was comfortable in my areas of expertise, and it only dawned on me at the age of 50 that I had not pushed my professional boundaries."
On enrolling at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law
"In 2025, I enrolled for the Course in notarial practice at the Gawie le Roux Institute of Law and opted for the recorded lectures. This, in combination with the comprehensive notes, made studying a new area of law a lot easier and flexible, as I could learn at my own pace.
All the prescribed resources are included in the study material. One doesn't have to spend time tracking down other resources and establishing what fits where. That saves time and stress."
On facing challenges
"The personal challenges I had were returning to heavy studying after over two decades post board exams, especially when balancing it with a law firm which I carry single-handedly on my shoulders. I dedicated 4am to 6am on weekdays and full days on weekends to my studies. It was not easy but the body adapts to routine."
Connie's notarial practice exam tips
"Understand the theory for every Notarial Act in depth and normalise making your own summaries after every topic. Drafting of deeds will easily flow from that; ensure that you practice drafting consistently.
Focus on perfecting common rejection errors that can cost you marks, as they attract negative marking from 50% of the marks earned. This is the main reason for the low pass rate."
"My advice for others who are considering writing the exam but may feel demotivated by the low pass rate, is that your worth is inherently individualistic and cannot be measured by data."
"The examination is about application of the law and procedure. You only need the right resources, like all-inclusive study material from Gawie le Roux Institute of Law and Erinda Frantzen's touch.
These professional exams are notorious for their high failure rate, but putting in the time will yield positive results. Your life will still be waiting for you after the exams. I failed my notarial practice exam on my first attempt in September 2025 with a small percentage away from qualifying for the oral exam.
I knew at that moment that I've got what it takes to make it through. I became overzealous studying for the April 2026 examinations, and enrolled for conveyancing too. It was a bad move to take them both at once, as I focused more on conveyancing because it was my first attempt. I qualified for an oral exam in notarial practice, which I ultimately bagged."
What's next?
"I am now focusing on collecting all professional titles that can be bestowed on an attorney and completing my title as an ANC — Attorney, Notary, and Conveyancer."
Last updated on 22 June 2026.