Henry Elvey Austen

Mr. Austen was born in Bloemfontein and raised in Port Elizabeth. Upon completing high school, he completed his Masters in Sport Science at the University of the Free State and achieved a degree in Education. He then went on to become a junior instructor at the Sports School for the Free State, and was contracted to lecture first-, second-, and third-year students in sports management. Upon the end of his tenure, Mr. Austen worked for the University, facilitating sports development for the Mangaung community. This was the biggest sports development programme in South Africa. This grassroots sports development initiative developed many Springboks in a variety of disciplines, including five Paralympic sports. He then relocated to Lesotho, where he became a sport centre manager for the Lehakoe Club for three years. The Lehakoe Club was owned and operated by the Central Bank of Lesotho. Here, he rubbed shoulders with the King and Queen of Lesotho who trained at the centre, and President Bill Clinton. When he returned to South Africa, he worked as a pharmaceutical representative for the likes of Pfizer and Sanofi. At the age of 42, he discovered his calling and started studying law. He completed his articles in Pretoria before returning to Bloemfontein. For 16 years, he played cricket for the University of the Free State and represented the Free State B team on several occasions. He was Free State provincial bodybuilder in 1993 and 1994 and won the Free State heavyweight and overall divisions in 1994. His cricket career provided immense experience and insight into competing on a national and international level, especially as influenced by the late Hansie Cronje. His sporting career provided a roadmap for the achievements to be duplicated in his practice.

Formal Admissions:
Admitted to the High Court as an attorney.

Admission Status:
Practicing Roll