[1] Her adolescent interest in law was inspired by the career of Leonora van den Heever, who was a judge in nearby Kimberley.
[2] She matriculated at Prieska High School in 1977 and attended Stellenbosch University, where she completed a BCom in law in 1980 and an LLB in 1982.
[2] During that time, she heard a prominent dispute between the Mail & Guardian and MTN managing director Maanda Manyatshe, who sought to interdict the newspaper from publishing allegations that he had participated in fraud and corruption during his time at the head of the South African Post Office.
[4][5][6] In August 2008, Snyders was one of several candidates whom the Judicial Service Commission shortlisted for possible appointment to two vacancies in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
[2] After interviews were held in Cape Town in October,[2] she was appointed to one of the vacancies with effect from 1 December 2008.