Hawa Moya, Author at Werksmans Attorneys https://werksmans.com Corporate and Commercial Law Firm Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:28:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://werksmans.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cropped-WERKSMANS-W-scaled-1-32x32.bmp Hawa Moya, Author at Werksmans Attorneys https://werksmans.com 32 32 Lara Wessels https://werksmans.com/team-members/lara-wessels/ Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:22:17 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=26415 Lara Wessels is an Associate in the Intellectual Property Practice. She holds an LLB and an LLM in Intellectual Property Law from Stellenbosch University. She is a qualified trade mark practitioner with the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law. Lara deals with trade mark clearance searches, filing strategy and registration; trade mark oppositions [...]

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Lara Wessels is an Associate in the Intellectual Property Practice. She holds an LLB and an LLM in Intellectual Property Law from Stellenbosch University. She is a qualified trade mark practitioner with the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law. Lara deals with trade mark clearance searches, filing strategy and registration; trade mark oppositions and enforcement; copyright matters; unlawful competition; domain name disputes; and company name objections.

Years of Experience: 3 years

  • Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property

  • Trade Mark

  • Trade Mark Practitioner, SAIIPL, 2025
  • Admitted attorney, 2024
  • LLM, Stellenbosch University, 2022
  • LLB, Stellenbosch University, 2021

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]]> Caitlin Steytler https://werksmans.com/team-members/caitlin-steytler/ Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:41:22 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=26012 Caitlín Steytler is an Associate  with a robust educational foundation and appetite for learning. Caitlín holds a BA Law, cum laude, with an English major. She earned her LLB with distinction, having been recognized for her consistent demonstration of academic excellence by being placed on the Dean's Merit List in both 2022 and 2023. Caitlín [...]

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]]> Caitlín Steytler is an Associate  with a robust educational foundation and appetite for learning. Caitlín holds a BA Law, cum laude, with an English major. She earned her LLB with distinction, having been recognized for her consistent demonstration of academic excellence by being placed on the Dean’s Merit List in both 2022 and 2023.

Caitlín is currently completing her second year of articles in the Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions and Banking & Finance practice areas, gaining valuable experience under the guidance and mentorship of leading experts in the field.

Caitlín’s zealous approach, attention to detail and growing experience ensures that she is a valuable member of any team and any transaction.

  • Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Banking & Finance

Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Banking and Finance
  • General Corporate Transactions

  • LLB (cum laude), University of Pretoria, 2023
  • BA Law (cum laude), University of Pretoria, 2021

  • Top Private Law Student, 2023
  • PH Group Honour Medal Prize, for graduating in the top 20 final-year LLB students, 2023
  • Dean’s Merit List, 2023
  • Academic Honorary Colours, 2022
  • Dean’s Merit List, 2022
  • Awarded Humanities Faculty Scholarship, 2021
  • Member of the Golden Key International Honours Society, 2019 – 2023

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]]> Nhlonipho Mthembu https://werksmans.com/team-members/nhlonipho-mthembu/ Wed, 27 May 2026 04:56:57 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25819 Nhlonipho Mthembu obtained his LLB degree with distinction from the University of Johannesburg. He is currently a first year Associate practicing in the Banking & Finance, Technology & Innovation and Regulatory practice areas. Nhlonipho's commercial work entails traditional banking and finance transactions, mezzanine finance transactions, structured finance in the form of securitisation structures and regulatory [...]

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]]> Nhlonipho Mthembu obtained his LLB degree with distinction from the University of Johannesburg. He is currently a first year Associate practicing in the Banking & Finance, Technology & Innovation and Regulatory practice areas. Nhlonipho’s commercial work entails traditional banking and finance transactions, mezzanine finance transactions, structured finance in the form of securitisation structures and regulatory opinions in financial sector laws.

  • Banking & Finance
  • Regulatory

Commercial

  • Banking and Finance
  • Regulatory
  • Technology and Innovation

Assisted:

  • Absa Bank Limited (acting through its Corporate and Investment Banking division), in relation to the USD70,000,000 increase of existing facilities to enable the refinancing of existing financial indebtedness within the Master Drilling Group
  • Vantage Mezzanine IV Pan African Sub-Fund Partnership (acting through its ultimate general partner, Vantage Mezzanine Fund IV USD Proprietary Limited), in relation to its provision of USD42,000,000 mezzanine debt funding to The International Group For Modern Coatings
  • Wellem Capital Proprietary Limited, in its capacity as Arranger, in relation to the establishment of a serialised asset backed note programme for Wellem Investor Bond (RF) Limited
  • Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, as Arranger and Dealer, in relation to the establishment of a residential mortgage-backed note programme for SA Home Loans Proprietary Limited under the auspices of The Thekwini Fund 20 (RF) Limited and Amber House Fund 7 (RF) Limited
  • SA Home Loans Proprietary Limited, as Arranger, in relation to the establishment, update and amendment of the residential mortgage-backed note programme under the auspices of Amber House Fund 7 (RF) Limited
  • SA Home Loans Proprietary Limited, acting in various capacities, in relation to the establishment of a note programme under the auspices of Simply Home Loans (RF) Limited in an amount of ZAR 10 billion and the issue of various tranches of notes thereunder
  • Crede Power and Infrastructure Investments Proprietary Limited, as Arranger, in relation to the issue of a ZAR150,000,000 note under the ZAR 10 billion asset-backed note programme of Crede Investor I Bridge to Bond (RF) Limited
  • Absa Corporate and Investment Bank Limited, a division of Absa Bank Limited, in various capacities, in relation to the issue of ZAR 1 billion credit linked notes under the ZAR 15 billion asset-backed note programme of Vista Finco (RF) Limited
  • Various financial institutions, offshore legal entities, corporates and small companies in relation to various queries on, inter alia, the Financial Advisory Intermediary Services Act, 2002, the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001, the Financial Markets Act, 2012, the Banks Act, 1990, the Financial Sector Regulation Act, 2017, and other relevant legislation
  • Various financial institutions, corporates and small companies in relation to the preparation of their Risk Management and Compliance Programmes, providing general guidance on the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001, and providing training in relation to the provisions of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001, which would include preparing various legal opinions in relation to various aspects of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, 2001, pursuant to recent amendments to the legislation around the scope of accountable institutions
  • Reviewing the terms and conditions of the pre-agreement statement and quotation, together with the underlying loan agreements for various institutions, including various corporates, registered as credit providers under the National Credit Act for purposes of ensuring their compliance with the terms and conditions of the National Credit Act, 2005

LLB, University of Johannesburg, 2023 (cum laude)

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]]> S’nenhlanhla Lushaba https://werksmans.com/team-members/snenhlanhla-lushaba/ Wed, 27 May 2026 04:51:32 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25818 S'nenhlanhla Lushaba is an Associate in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions practice area. She assists with general legal research, drafting legal documents and administrative tasks. Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Commercial Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions LLB, University of the Witwatersrand, 2023 BCom (Law), University of the Witwatersrand, 2021

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]]> S’nenhlanhla Lushaba is an Associate in the Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions practice area. She assists with general legal research, drafting legal documents and administrative tasks.

Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions

Commercial

  • Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions

  • LLB, University of the Witwatersrand, 2023
  • BCom (Law), University of the Witwatersrand, 2021

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]]> Tshepiso Billa https://werksmans.com/team-members/tshepiso-billa/ Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:45:39 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25587 Tshepiso Billa is an Associate in the Commercial Department specialising in Banking and Finance and Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions. She advises on various corporate and commercial matters, including corporate restructuring, due diligence investigations and share sales and subscriptions. She also has experience in structured finance (including loan syndications), securitisations (listed and unlisted), financial services, cross-border [...]

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]]> Tshepiso Billa is an Associate in the Commercial Department specialising in Banking and Finance and Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions. She advises on various corporate and commercial matters, including corporate restructuring, due diligence investigations and share sales and subscriptions. She also has experience in structured finance (including loan syndications), securitisations (listed and unlisted), financial services, cross-border transactions, regulatory, and trust and estates work.

Years of Experience: 2 years

  • Banking and Finance
  • Corporate Mergers and Acquisition

Commercial

  • Banking and Finance
  • Corporate Mergers and Acquisition

  • Advised Paterson Candy International (SA) Proprietary Limited t/a PCI Africa in a ZAR365 million share acquisition by WPIL SA Holdings Proprietary Limited, a subsidiary of a Bombay Stock Exchange Listed entity
  • Advised a consortium represented by Marine Edge Capital in its ZAR633,4 million acquisition of shares in Oceana Group Limited
  • Advised Aksa Power Generator SA Proprietary Limited in the ZAR6,9 million acquisition of 60% of the issued share capital of Deltagen Proprietary Limited, a South African company specialising in custom prime and standby generators and power solutions
  • Advised Nutun Holdings Proprietary Limited in respect of the multijurisdictional corporate restructure of Nutun SA Proprietary Limited and Nutun International
  • Advised Bayport Securitisation (RF) Limited on matters relating to a listed ZAR10 billion asset-backed note programme established to fund the business of granting un-secured personal loans to South African consumers
  • Advised a leading international specialist insurance broker in the ZAR80 million share repurchase and sale of shares to a Mauritian incorporated vehicle
  • Advising on various commercial transactions involving the establishment and incorporation of trusts and advising on other key aspects of trust-related matters
  • Advising a mining company on the outsourcing of a portion of its mining obligations to a specialist contractor
  • Advised a local community debt fund manager on various aspects of their funding structure and the issuance of debt securities
  • Advised a local banking and financial institution in various leveraged finance transactions with borrower counterparts in the mining and industrials sectors
  • Conducted vendor due diligence investigations on behalf of a financial institution and its subsidiaries in relation to the disposal of certain of its underlying assets

  • Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, 2026
  • LLB, Stellenbosch University, 2023
  • Certificate in Management and Leadership for Lawyers, Bucerius Law School (Hamburg), 2023
  • BCom (Law), Stellenbosch University, 2021

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]]> Malique Ukena https://werksmans.com/team-members/malique-ukena/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:46:20 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25581 Malique Ukena is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution practice at Werksmans Attorneys, where he is exposed to a broad range of commercial litigation, arbitration, and corporate dispute matters. His work spans contractual disputes, company law matters (including shareholder disputes and director accountability), insolvency-related claims, business rescue proceedings, as well as disputes in the mining, [...]

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]]> Malique Ukena is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution practice at Werksmans Attorneys, where he is exposed to a broad range of commercial litigation, arbitration, and corporate dispute matters. His work spans contractual disputes, company law matters (including shareholder disputes and director accountability), insolvency-related claims, business rescue proceedings, as well as disputes in the mining, construction, and engineering sectors, and matters involving regulatory compliance.

Malique has rotated through the Insolvency and Business Rescue and Technology and Innovation teams during his time as a Candidate Attorney. In the Insolvency and Business Rescue team, he gained hands-on experience in liquidation and business rescue proceedings, as well as general commercial disputes. Concurrently, he worked closely within the firm’s general disputes practice, contributing to litigation involving contractual breaches, administrative law challenges, and regulatory enforcement matters. In the Technology and Innovation team, Malique assisted on matters concerning emerging technologies, digital regulation, data protection, and technology-driven commercial transactions. This exposure has shaped a strong commercial awareness and a nuanced understanding of the intersection between law, innovation, and regulation, which he brings to his dispute resolution work.

Malique holds a BA (Law) and LLB from Stellenbosch University. During his studies, he was actively involved in student leadership, debating, and academic initiatives. He approaches legal work with clarity, intellectual rigour, adaptability, and a strong research ethic, drawing on experience across both contentious and advisory contexts.

Litigation

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Insolvency and Business Rescue
  • General Commercial Disputes

Commercial

  • Technology and Innovation
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Data Protection
  • Digital Regulation

  • Admitted as an Attorney, 2026
  • BA Law Degree, University of Stellenbosch, 2021
  • LLB Degree, University of Stellenbosch, 2023

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]]> Annabel Morphet https://werksmans.com/team-members/annabel-morphet/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:44:09 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25580 Annabel Morphet is an Associate in the Disputes and Insolvency and Business Rescue practice areas. She advises financial institutions and liquidators on a range of insolvency related matters, including liquidation and sequestration proceedings, commissions of enquiry and recovery proceedings. She also advises clients on general contractual disputes and assists in reviewing and drafting contractual agreements. [...]

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]]> Annabel Morphet is an Associate in the Disputes and Insolvency and Business Rescue practice areas. She advises financial institutions and liquidators on a range of insolvency related matters, including liquidation and sequestration proceedings, commissions of enquiry and recovery proceedings. She also advises clients on general contractual disputes and assists in reviewing and drafting contractual agreements.

Years of Experience: 2 years

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Insolvency and Business Rescue
  • Disputes

  • Dispute resolution and insolvency-related experience (including drafting pleadings and advising on commissions of enquiries and recoveries).
  • One year of commercial law and competition law experience obtained through second year of articles (including drafting, reviewing and negotiating a variety of commercial agreements and compiling merger filings for submission to South African competition authorities).
  • Research experience in both disputes, insolvency and commercial law.

  • Bachelor of Arts (Political, Philosophical and Economic Studies) (BA PPE), Stellenbosch University, 2020
  • Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Stellenbosch University, 2023

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]]> Tshegofatso Matlou https://werksmans.com/team-members/tshegofatso-matlou/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:41:45 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25561 Tshegofatso Matlou is an Associate in the Disputes and Mining and Resources practice areas at Werksmans. She advises on complex commercial and contractual disputes; mining-related commercial disputes; corporate governance and shareholder disputes; and disputes relating to Trusts. Years of Experience: 2 years Litigation Disputes Mining and Resources Part of the team [...]

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Tshegofatso Matlou is an Associate in the Disputes and Mining and Resources practice areas at Werksmans. She advises on complex commercial and contractual disputes; mining-related commercial disputes; corporate governance and shareholder disputes; and disputes relating to Trusts.

Years of Experience: 2 years

Litigation

  • Disputes
  • Mining and Resources

Part of the team that advised/acted for:

  • The business rescue practitioners of Tongaat Hullet Limited (“THL“) on various transactions in the business rescue proceedings of THL
  • Various mining companies relating to contractual disputes
  • A major retailer relating to various contractual and commercial disputes
  • High net worth individuals in regard to disputes relating to Family Trusts
  • A major real estate investment trust relating to various contractual and commercial disputes
  • A major bank relating in regard to various commercial disputes

  • Bachelor of Arts (Law), University of the Witwatersrand, 2021
  • Bachelor of Laws (Dean’s List), University of the Witwatersrand, 2023
  • Certificate of Competence: Prospecting and Mining Law, University of the Witwatersrand, 2026
  • Admitted as an Attorney, 2026

  • Top Social Justice and Human Rights Student, 2023

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]]> Koketso Rapoo https://werksmans.com/team-members/koketso-rapoo/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:29:36 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25552 Koketso Rapoo is an Senior Associate in the Disputes, Regulatory, and Digital Media and Electronic Communications practice areas. She advises on general commercial litigation, procurement and administrative law, electronic communications, aviation, financial sector regulation, corporate governance, constitutional law, aviation, and investigations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences and Law, and an [...]

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Koketso Rapoo is an Senior Associate in the Disputes, Regulatory, and Digital Media and Electronic Communications practice areas. She advises on general commercial litigation, procurement and administrative law, electronic communications, aviation, financial sector regulation, corporate governance, constitutional law, aviation, and investigations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences and Law, and an LLB, both from Stellenbosch University.

Years of Experience: 6 years, with 4 years post admission experience

  • Disputes
  • Digital Media & Electronic Communications
  • Regulatory

Litigation

  • Disputes
  • Digital Media & Electronic Communications
  • Regulatory

  • Admitted as an Attorney, 2023
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Sciences and Law, Stellenbosch University, 2018
  • LLB, Stellenbosch University, 2020

  • Ranked as a recommended/key lawyer by Legal 500 | 2024 | 2025 Dispute Resolution.
  • Advising and representing a South African telecommunications and ICT-services company in a review application against the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
  • Advising and representing the South African Reserve Bank and Prudential Authority in relation to the curatorship and liquidation of a bank.
  • Advising and representing the South African Reserve Bank, the Prudential Authority and the Financial Intelligence Centre in proceedings instituted in the High Court and Equality Court by various entities in respect of disputes arising from the termination of bank accounts.
  • Advising and representing a South African telecommunications company against a multinational software corporation in a dispute relating to software licences.
  • Advising and representing a South African telecommunications company and ICT-services company against an open access fibre network operation in a dispute relating to access of electronic communication facilities.
  • Advising and representing the South African Civil Aviation Authority in various review applications instituted by companies in the aviation sector.
  • Advising a multinational software corporation in an investigation involving substantial volumes of custodial data linked to prospective criminal liability and civil liability.*
  • Advising and representing a multinational management consulting company in relation to review proceedings against various organs of state.*
  • Advising and representing an oil and gas exploration company in respect of certain disputes related to its South African co-shareholder.*
  • Advising a multinational broadcasting company on various South African electronic communications requirements in relation to its business in South Africa.*
  • Advising a large multinational software corporation in relation to potential procurement of services/software by an organ of state.*
  • Advising and representing a US-based enterprise software company in a dispute with its South African partner.*
  • Advising a multinational technology company on various South African electronic communications requirements in relation to its business in South Africa.*

*Experience at a different law firm

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]]> Werksmans Recognised – The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2026 Rankings https://werksmans.com/werksmans-recognised-the-legal-500-europe-middle-east-africa-2026-rankings/ https://werksmans.com/werksmans-recognised-the-legal-500-europe-middle-east-africa-2026-rankings/#respond Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:44:24 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?p=25392 The Legal 500 has released its 2026 rankings for the EMEA region. The research process conducted annually in over 150 jurisdictions, provides a detailed qualitative assessment of various factors including work conducted by law firms over the past 12 months and historically; experience and depth of teams; specialisms and ancillary services; and opinions of law [...]

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]]> The Legal 500 has released its 2026 rankings for the EMEA region. The research process conducted annually in over 150 jurisdictions, provides a detailed qualitative assessment of various factors including work conducted by law firms over the past 12 months and historically; experience and depth of teams; specialisms and ancillary services; and opinions of law firms’ clients.

Werksmans has achieved a total of 29 rankings which includes, 12 firm rankings and 17 individual rankings.

Firm Rankings

  • Banking & Finance – Tier 1
  • Commercial, Corporate and M&A – Tier 1
  • Dispute Resolution – Tier 1
  • Competition – Tier 2
  • Construction – Tier 4
  • Employment – Tier 2
  • Intellectual Property – Tier 3
  • Investment Funds – Tier 3
  • Mining – Tier 3
  • Projects & Infrastructure – Tier 3
  • Real Estate – Tier 3
  • Tax – Tier 2

Individual Lawyer Rankings

Banking & Finance

  • Richard Roothman (Hall of Fame)
  • Jenni Darling (Leading Partner)

Commercial, Corporate and M&A

  • Kevin Trudgeon (Leading Partner)
  • Obakhe Bukula (Leading Associate)

Competition

  • Paul Coetser (Hall of Fame)
  • Nkonzo Hlatshwayo (Leading Partner)
  • Lwazi Mtshilibe (Leading Associate)

Dispute Resolution

  • David Hertz (Hall of Fame)
  • Corlett Manaka (Leading Partner)
  • Faith Sikhavhakhavha (Next Generation Partner)

Employment

  • Nonkosazana Nkosi (Next Generation Partner)

Intellectual Property

  • Janine Hollesen (Leading Partner)

Investment Funds

  • Shayne Krige (Leading Partner)
  • Hilah Laskov (Next Generation Partner)

Mining

  • Chris Stevens (Hall of Fame)

Tax

  • Ernest Mazansky (Hall of Fame)
  • Doelie Lessing (Leading Partner)

 

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