Advocate Linda Makatini is an admitted Advocate of the High Court of South Africa. She holds a holds LLM Master of Law Degree in International Law. The University of Natal appointed Advocate Makatini as Executive Director in the Centre of Socio- Legal Studies and Street Law.

In 1995 she joined JMM Consultancy as Managing Director. She was then appointed as the Chief Executive Officer for the South African Diamond Board between 1996 and 1997 before joining Labat Africa in 1998 as Managing Director.

Between 1999 and 2005 she worked as Legal Advisor to the Deputy President and Leader of Government Business. She served as the Chairperson of the Licensing Committee - South African Diamond Board (1996 - 1997); Board Member - Council for Geoscience (1997 - 1998); and Member - Gold Crisis Committee (1997 - 1998). Advocate Makatini has served on various Boards.

In October 2005, Advocate Makatini was appointed by the Minister of Minerals and Energy as part-time Regulator Member of the National Energy Regulator (NERSA).