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)

The post Werksmans Recognised – The Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa 2026 Rankings appeared first on Werksmans Attorneys.

Our firm has been ranked across 21 areas of law and 37 of our lawyers are ranked individually as leading lawyers in their respective fields.

The firm was ranked as follows:

• Administrative & Public Law: Band 3
• Banking & Finance: Band 3
• Capital Markets – Debt: Band 2
• Competition & Antitrust: Band 3
• Construction: Band 3 (higher ranking)
• Corporate Investigations: Band 2
• Corporate/M&A: Band 2
• Dispute Resolution: Band 1
• Employment: Band 3
• Energy & Natural Resources – Mining: Band 2
• Environment: Band 3
• FinTech Legal: Band 2
• Intellectual Property: Band 3
• International & Cross-Border Capabilities: Spotlight
• IT & Telecommunications: Band 2
• Media & Broadcasting: Band 2
• Private Equity: Band 2 (higher ranking)
• Projects & Energy: Band 4
• Real Estate: Band 2
• Restructuring/Insolvency: Band 1
• Tax: Band 2

The following lawyers have been individually ranked as leading lawyers:

• Administrative & Public Law
o Corlett Manaka: Band 3

• Banking & Finance
o Danny Andropoulos: Band 3
o Jenni Darling: Band 3

• Capital Markets: Debt
o Richard Roothman: Band 2
o Tracy-Lee Janse van Rensburg: Band 3

• Competition/Antitrust
o Paul Coetser: Band 3
o Ahmore Burger-Smidt: Band 4
o Paul Cleland: Band 5

• Construction
o Jennifer Smit: Band 4

• Corporate Investigations
o Bernard Hotz: Band 2
o Jeremy Gobetz: Band 2
o Mohamed Hoosen: Associates to watch

• Corporate/M&A
o Kevin Trudgeon: Band 3
o David Gewer: Band 4
o Gerhard Johannes: Band 4
o Elliott Wood: Band 5
o Bafana Ntuli: Up and Coming (new ranking)

• Dispute Resolution
o David Hertz: Eminent Practitioners
o Des Williams: Senior Statespeople
o Corlett Manaka: Band 2
o Jones Antunes: Band 5

• Employment
o Sandile July: Band 3
o Anastasia Vatalidis: Band 3
o Jacques van Wyk: Band 4

• Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
o Chris Stevens: Band 1

• Environment
o Justin Truter: Band 2

• FinTech Legal
o Preeta Bhagattjee: Band 2

• Life Sciences
o Neil Kirby: Spotlight (new ranking)

• Intellectual Property
o Donvay Wegierski: Band 3
o Janine Hollesen: Band 3

• IT & Telecommunications
o Preeta Bhagattjee: Band 1

• Media & Broadcasting
o Wendy Rosenberg: Band 1
o Tebogo Sibidla: Band 3

• Private Equity
o Elliott Wood: Band 3
o Bafana Ntuli: Up and Coming

• Projects & Energy
o Chris Moraitis: Band 3

• Restructuring/Insolvency
o Eric Levenstein: Band 1

• Tax
o Doelie Lessing: Band 2
o Michael Honiball: Band 3
o Ernest Mazansky (Consultant): Band 1
o Ryan Killoran: Band 3

LEX Africa has once again been ranked as a Band 1 Leading Regional Law Firm Network – Africa Wide.

The post Chambers Global 2026 appeared first on Werksmans Attorneys.

• Werksmans advised on tax related aspects of the winning BEE Deal of the Year, Exxaro Resources’ acquisition of manganese assets from Ntsimbintle and OMH Mauritius.

This deal comprised, Exxaro Resources’ acquisition of manganese assets from Ntsimbintle and OMH Mauritius. The acquisition of premier manganese assets represents a defining transformational transaction for both the company, the global mining sector and at the same time advances South Africa’s empowerment agenda. The deal, valued at R11,67 billion, marks a strategic pivot for Exxaro, accelerating its transition from coal to a diversified minerals and energy solutions business. Ernest Mazansky, Director in our Tax practice area, advised Ntsimbintle Holdings on all tax related aspects.

• We secured first place in a tie with Webber Wentzel, as legal advisers by deal flow for Mergers & Acquisitions – BEE.
• We secured third place as legal advisers by deal flow for Mergers & Acquisitions.
• We secured fourth place as legal advisers by deal value for Mergers & Acquisitions.

A re-cap of our shortlisted deals include:

• BEE Deal of The Year

MultiChoice Group (Canal+) to a consortium of BEE parties – a 51% stake in LicenceCo

Wendy Rosenberg, Director and Head of our Digital Media & Electronic Communications practice area, together with Tebogo Sibidla, Director and Samantha Sinden, Director, advised MultiChoice on broadcasting matters in this transaction.

• PE Deal of the Year

STANLIB Infrastructure Investments’ acquisition of a minority stake in Africa Data Centre (Cassava Technologies)

Kevin Trudgeon, Director, together with Rudi Claassen, Candidate Attorney and Caitlin Steytler, Candidate Attorney advised on M&A related aspects of this acquisition and Jenni Darling, Director together with Ndzalama Dumisa, Associate and Lloyrenzo September, Candidate Attorney advised on debt related aspects.

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SARS’s Notices to the Public

The South African Revenue Service (“SARS“) has taken several precautionary measures in response to the risk of infection from COVID-19 which are aligned with and are in support of the initiatives implemented by the Department of Health.

SARS’ tax, customs and excise operations will continue as normal at all SARS branch offices and ports of entry, but subject to strict social distancing and general hygiene practices.

Taxpayers are discouraged from visiting SARS branch offices and are encouraged rather to make use of the SARS eFiling platform or to contact SARS via the SARS Contact Centre, by email or post (details can be found on the SARS website). The following service offerings are currently available on the SARS eFiling platform:

• Debt queries and statements of account;
• Submission of tax returns and payment of tax debts;
• Tax Compliance Status confirmations;
• Tax registrations;
• Updating of personal details, including bank details;
• Submission of supporting documents in respect of SARS audits; and
• Disputing assessments.

Should a taxpayer be required to visit a SARS branch office, strict adherence to the following measures are required:

• A maximum of 100 taxpayers will be allowed at a SARS branch at any point in time;
• Taxpayers are requested to actively monitor branch visitor volumes and queue times on the SARS website and the SARS mobiApp in planning a visit;
• Taxpayers are requested to make use of hand sanitizers (provided in all SARS branch offices and ports of entry) prior to engaging SARS staff; and
• Taxpayers should keep to the required one meter social distance and should avoid physical contact.

In the notices issued to taxpayers, from 8 March 2020, SARS reiterated that taxpayers remain duty bound by their tax obligations and that no extensions will be provided for the filing of tax returns and for the payment of tax debts.

Comment

The approach taken by SARS is contrary to various other jurisdictions which provided extensions for the filing of tax returns and for the payment of the resultant tax debts. For example:

• The United States of America’s federal income tax filing due date is extended by three months from 15 April 2020 to 15 July 2020 and taxpayers automatically qualify for a deferral of income tax payments due on 15 April 2020 to 15 July 2020, without penalties and interest and regardless of the amount owed;
• The United Kingdom provides an automatic three-month deferral for Value-Added Tax (VAT) payments for all businesses from 20 March 2020 to 30 June 2020. It also provides a six-month deferral for income tax payments for self-employed persons from 31 July 2020 to 31 January 2021. No penalties and interest will be imposed for the deferred tax debts; and
• The Netherlands reduced its interest rate on the late payment of taxes and no penalties are imposed for the late payment of income tax, wage tax and VAT.

Some Remedies Available

There is no doubt that the disaster management regulations issued on 18 March 2020 will have an adverse effect on economic activity in South Africa, especially in the retail, travel, hospitality and leisure industries.

The late payment of a tax debt results in the imposition of a percentage-based penalty in accordance with the applicable tax Act, read together with Part C of Chapter 15 of the Tax Administration Act, No 28 of 2011 (TAA), together with interest at the prescribed rate.

Where relevant, SARS is permitted to remit a percentage-based penalty in whole or in part, inter alia, if one or more of the following exceptional circumstances resulted in the taxpayer’s failure to pay the tax debt when it became due and payable:

• a natural or human-made disaster;
• a civil disturbance or disruption in services;
• a serious illness or accident;
• serious emotional or mental distress; or
• serious financial hardship, such as, in the case of an individual, lack of basic living requirements or in the case of a business, an immediate danger that the continuity of business operations and continued employment of its employees are jeopardized.

Interest on the late payment of tax debts may also be waived in whole or in part if SARS is satisfied that the interest payable is as a result of circumstances beyond the control of the taxpayer. Such circumstances are limited to the ones outlined above.

The mere existence of one or more of the above circumstances is not sufficient to justify a remittance of the percentage-based penalty or a waiver of interest. It is a requirement that the existence of one or more of the above circumstances directly prevented the taxpayer from settling its outstanding tax debt in time. Possibly the fact that the President announced the National Disaster as a result of a virus qualifies a taxpayer to claim protection under the first requirement, all other facts supporting this claim.

Note that in relevant circumstances it might not even be necessary to rely on these requirements and a more lenient set of requirements for remission might apply if it is a “first incidence” as defined.

It is important to note that taxpayers are required to submit a request for remission of penalties and interest to SARS (i.e. penalties and interest are not remitted on an automatic basis). Any decision by SARS not to remit a penalty or interest in whole or in part is subject to objection and appeal.

Taxpayers are advised to manage their outstanding tax debts and to apply for instalment payment agreements if they are unable to settle their tax debts as the fall due as a result of the current economic climate. SARS would typically enter into instalment payment agreements with taxpayers experiencing liquidity problems that are reasonably certain to be remedied in future. In some instances, the taxpayers may be required to furnish security to SARS for the payment of their outstanding tax debts. Interest would, however, continue to accrue on any outstanding tax debt that forms the subject of an instalment payment agreement.

In more severe cases, taxpayers may be required to apply for a compromise of a portion of their outstanding tax debts in terms of Part D of Chapter 14 of the TAA in terms of which SARS would permanently write-off a portion of their outstanding tax debts. SARS would typically require taxpayers to forfeit all or a portion of their tax losses as quid pro quo for the conclusion of the compromise agreement.

In conclusion, taxpayers should continue to comply with their South African tax obligations, despite the impact of COVID-19 on their operations and the current economic climate. Taxpayers are advised  to manage their outstanding tax debts by applying for instalment payment agreements and compromises, where applicable, and to request the resultant penalties and interest to be remitted in cases of serious financial hardship or where other exceptional circumstances gave rise to the taxpayer’s failure to settle its outstanding tax debts.

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As the old adage, popularised following its appearance in Stan Lee’s Marvel Comics, goes “with great power, comes great responsibility”. This saying is no less true in relation to companies’ boards of directors.

The business and affairs of a company are managed under the direction of its board of directors. As such, significant responsibilities rest on directors’ shoulders – a fact which cannot be ignored!

Under the Companies Act 71 of 2008, a high standard of conduct is expected of individual directors, who may be held personally liable in instances where they fail to act with the required degree of care and skill. For this reason, it is imperative for directors to properly consider, and be aware of, the relevant legal provisions applicable to them, with the aim of ensuring compliance and avoiding falling foul of the law.

At the same time, however, the Companies Act also makes certain statutory protections and safeguards available to directors, which may allow directors to avoid personal liability, in appropriate circumstances. Directors would be well advised to fully appreciate the extent of such protections and safeguards and to understand when they may apply.

Given the importance of what is set out above, Eric Levenstein, Head of Business Rescue, Nastascha Harduth, Director, and Malachizodok Mpolokeng, Associate, prepared a comprehensive booklet setting out risk mitigation strategies for boards of directors. Additionally, we also succinctly set out certain of the most important responsibilities, duties, and liabilities of directors, in terms of the Companies Act, and with reference to the King IV Report.

Download the Werksmans Director’s Liability Booklet: Risk Mitigation for Board of Directors 2022

The post Risk Mitigation for Boards of Directors – Responsibilities, Duties and Liabilities of Directors Guide appeared first on Werksmans Attorneys.

Published annually since 1999, Chambers covers legal markets of 200 jurisdictions by researching firms and conducting interviews with clients and legal professionals to identify leading lawyers and law firms.

Our firm has been ranked across 18 practice areas and 34 of our directors were ranked individually as leading lawyers in their respective fields.

The firm was ranked as follows:

Band 1

• • Dispute Resolution
  • Restructuring & Insolvency

Band 2

• • Capital Markets – Debt
  • Corporate Investigations
  • Corporate/M&A
  • Energy & Natural Resources – Mining
  • Environment
  • Media & Broadcasting
  • Real Estate
  • Tax

Band 3

• • Administrative & Public Law
  • Banking & Finance
  • Competition & Antitrust
  • Employment

Band 4

• • Construction
  • Intellectual Property
  • Projects & Energy

Spotlight

• • International & Cross-Border Capabilities

  •  *new ranking based on the Firms’ strong track record of handling complex litigation and restructuring matters across local and international clients

The following directors have been individually ranked as leading lawyers in the 2023 edition:

Administrative & Public Law

• Corlett Manaka: Band 3

Banking & Finance

• Danny Andropoulos: Band 2
• Richard Roothman: Band 4

Capital Markets: Debt

• Richard Roothman: Band 2
• Tracy-Lee Janse van Rensburg: Band 3 (new ranking)

Competition/Antitrust

• Ahmore Burger-Smidt: Band 4
• Paul Cleland: Band 4
• Paul Coetser: Band 2

Corporate Investigations

• Bernard Hotz: Band 2
• Jeremy Gobetz: Band 3

Corporate/M&A

• David Gewer: Band 4
• Elliot Wood: Band 5
• Gerhard Johannes: Band 3
• Kevin Trudgeon: Band 3

Dispute Resolution

• Corlett Manaka: Band 3
• David Hertz: Band 1
• Des Williams: Senior Statespeople
• Jones Antunes: Band 4

Employment

• Anastasia Vatalidis: Band 2
• Jacques van Wyk: Band 4
• Sandile July: Band 4

Energy & Natural Resources: Mining

• Chris Stevens: Band 1

Environment

• Justin Truter: Band

Intellectual Property

• Donvay Wegierski: Band 4
• Janine Hollesen: Band 4

Media & Broadcasting

• Wendy Rosenberg: Band 2

Projects & Energy

• Chris Moraitis: Band 4

Real Estate

• Fatima Rodrigues: Band 2 (higher ranking)
• Hendrik Kotze: Band 2

Restructuring/Insolvency

• Eric Levenstein: Band 1
• Nastascha Harduth: Band 4 (higher ranking)

Tax

• Doelie Lessing: Band 2
• Ernest Mazansky (Consultant): Band 1
• Michael Honiball: Band 2
• Ryan Killoran: Up and Coming

LEX Africa is pleased, to once again be ranked as a Band 1 Leading Regional Law Firm Network – Africa Wide.

Congratulations to all the ranked lawyers and the teams for maintaining a strong presence in the global legal space.

The post Chambers Global 2023 appeared first on Werksmans Attorneys.

Published annually since 1999, Chambers is an independent professional legal research company operating across 200 jurisdictions, delivering detailed rankings and insights into the world’s leading lawyers and law firms.

Our firm has been ranked across 20 areas of law and 37 of our lawyers are ranked individually as leading lawyers in their respective fields.

The firm was ranked as follows:

• Africa Wide – TMT: Band 3
• Administrative & Public Law: Band 3
• Banking & Finance: Band 3
• Capital Markets – Debt: Band 2
• Competition & Antitrust: Band 3
• Construction: Band 4
• Corporate Investigations: Band 2
• Corporate/M&A: Band 2
• Dispute Resolution: Band 1
• Employment: Band 3
• Energy & Natural Resources – Mining: Band 2
• Environment: Band 2
• Intellectual Property: Band 3
• International & Cross-Border Capabilities: Spotlight
• IT & Telecommunications: Band 2
• Media & Broadcasting: Band 2
• Projects & Energy: Band 4
• Real Estate: Band 2
• Restructuring & Insolvency: Band 1
• Tax: Band 2

The following lawyers have been individually ranked as leading lawyers in the 2025 edition:

• Administrative & Public Law
o Corlett Manaka: Band 3

• Banking & Finance
o Danny Andropoulos: Band 2
o Jenni Darling: Band 3

• Capital Markets: Debt
o Richard Roothman: Band 2
o Tracy-Lee Janse van Rensburg: Band 3

• Competition/Antitrust
o Paul Coetser: Band 3
o Ahmore Burger-Smidt: Band 4
o Paul Cleland: Band 5

• Construction
o Jennifer Smit: Band 4

• Corporate Investigations
o Bernard Hotz: Band 2
o Jeremy Gobetz: Band 2
o Mohamed Hoosen: Associates to watch

• Corporate/M&A
o Kevin Trudgeon: Band 3
o Gerhard Johannes: Band 3
o David Gewer: Band 4
o Elliott Wood: Band 5

• Dispute Resolution
o David Hertz: Eminent Practitioners
o Des Williams: Senior Statespeople
o Corlett Manaka: Band 2
o Jones Antunes: Band 4

• Employment
o Sandile July: Band 3
o Anastasia Vatalidis: Band 3
o Jacques van Wyk: Band 4

• Energy & Natural Resources: Mining
o Chris Stevens: Band 1

• Environment
o Justin Truter: Band 2

• FinTech Legal
o Preeta Bhagattjee: Band 2

• Intellectual Property
o Donvay Wegierski: Band 3
o Janine Hollesen: Band 3

• IT & Telecommunications
o Preeta Bhagattjee: Band 1

• Media & Broadcasting
o Wendy Rosenberg: Band 1
o Tebogo Sibidla: Band 3

• Private Equity
o Elliott Wood: Band 3
o Bafana Ntuli: Up and Coming

• Projects & Energy
o Chris Moraitis: Band 3

• Real Estate
o Fátima Rodrigues: Band 2

• Restructuring/Insolvency
o Eric Levenstein: Band 1

• Tax
o Michael Honiball: Band 2
o Ernest Mazansky: Band 1
o Doelie Lessing: Band 2
o Ryan Killoran: Band 3

LEX Africa is pleased, to once again be ranked as a Band 1 Leading Regional Law Firm Network – Africa Wide.

Congratulations to all the ranked lawyers and the teams for maintaining a strong presence in the global legal space.

The post Chambers Global 2025 appeared first on Werksmans Attorneys.

Cancer Association of SA, Werksmans Attorneys, Western Cape hosts Shavathon

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) and Werksmans Attorneys hosted the ever popular, CANSA Shavathon on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at the Werksmans offices in the Western Cape to mark the 21st anniversary of Shavathon during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

With a donation fee of R50 or more, employees got their hair shaved and sprayed to raise funds for CANSA, bringing families, friends, and colleagues together in solidarity with cancer survivors.

Losing hair is a common side effect of cancer treatment so participants showed support by donating a fee to shave or spray their hair. All funds raised go directly towards CANSA’s education and screening initiatives as well as care and support services for cancer patients and their loved ones.

A director at Werksmans Attorneys, who is also on the firm’s Social Responsibility Committee, Tsholofelo Inno expressed excitement for the event. “We’re incredibly delighted to have hosted such an iconic fundraising event and hope that it will encourage further corporates to join in the fight against cancer.”

Anita Synders, National Sustainability Manager of CANSA added, “Together, we shave and spray for hope and make a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer. Our CANSA team is enjoyed hosting the event with Werksmans Attorneys and thank them for raising awareness and contributing to keeping our care and support programmes going. We challenge other businesses and corporates in this region, to make their workplace colourful and vibrant while supporting the cancer cause.”

Tarryn Potter speaks to Cape Talk

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Visit www.cansa.org.za or contact the nearest CANSA Care Centre, call CANSA toll-free 0800 22 66 22 or email: info@cansa.org.za. 

In addition to online resources and Facebook support groups, CANSA offers multi-lingual support on

WhatsApp: 072 197 9305 for English and Afrikaans and 071 867 3530 for isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana.

For a free tele counselling per appointment call CANSA on 0800 22 66 22 in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana.

Follow CANSA

Facebook: CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa

Twitter: @CANSA

Instagram: @cancerassociationofsouthafrica 

LinkedIn: @CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa

Pintrest: Cancer Association of South Africa

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