Johannesburg Archives - Werksmans Attorneys https://35.177.149.70/gs-team-location/johannesburg/ Corporate and Commercial Law Firm Fri, 26 Jun 2026 07:02:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://werksmans.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cropped-WERKSMANS-W-scaled-1-32x32.bmp Johannesburg Archives - Werksmans Attorneys https://35.177.149.70/gs-team-location/johannesburg/ 32 32 Jordan Gobie https://werksmans.com/team-members/jordan-gobie/ Thu, 28 May 2026 12:52:33 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25821 Jordan Gobie is an Associate in the Healthcare and Life Sciences practice area. Years of Experience: 2 years Healthcare and Life Sciences Litigation & Dispute Resolution Healthcare & Life Sciences Regulatory General Disputes Environmental Law Administrative Law Consumer Protection Data Privacy LLB, University of Johannesburg, 2023 BA (Law), University of Johannesburg, 2021 [...]

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]]> Jordan Gobie is an Associate in the Healthcare and Life Sciences practice area.

Years of Experience: 2 years

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Regulatory
  • General Disputes
  • Environmental Law
  • Administrative Law
  • Consumer Protection
  • Data Privacy

  • LLB, University of Johannesburg, 2023
  • BA (Law), University of Johannesburg, 2021

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]]> Rudi Claassen https://werksmans.com/team-members/rudi-claassen/ Wed, 27 May 2026 04:58:40 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25804 Rudi Claassen is an Associate in the Commercial Department. He advises on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and general corporate transactional work, with particular experience in private equity, due diligence investigations, corporate structuring, management incentives and broad-based black economic empowerment transactions. He also has experience in structured finance (including acquisition and leveraged finance) and preference [...]

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]]> Rudi Claassen is an Associate in the Commercial Department. He advises on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and general corporate transactional work, with particular experience in private equity, due diligence investigations, corporate structuring, management incentives and broad-based black economic empowerment transactions. He also has experience in structured finance (including acquisition and leveraged finance) and preference share funding transactions.

Years of Experience: 2 years

  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Banking & Finance
  • Private Equity

  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Banking & Finance
  • General Commercial Law

Advised and assisted –

  • Africa Data Centres (part of the Cassava Technologies group) in the acquisition by STANLIB Infrastructure Fund II of a minority stake in ADC South Africa, marking a significant strategic investment in the region’s digital infrastructure sector. This deal was shortlisted for the Dealmakers Private Equity Deal of the Year, 2025.
  • Araxi Limited (previously Capital Appreciation) on its ZAR800 million financing transaction with Investec Bank Limited to fund its acquisition of the Pay@ Group, marking a significant step in strengthening South Africa’s payments ecosystem and the broader fintech sector.
  • a JSE-listed pharmaceutical company on the revision of its management incentive scheme, including short-term, medium-term and long-term incentive components.
  • The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited on various structured financing solutions, including –
    –  a preference share funding and term loan facility to a consortium of investors to acquire a minority stake in Bud Group Holdings Proprietary Limited, an integrated operating business in the industrial services, manufacturing and minerals beneficiation sectors; and
    –  the refinance and upsize of the equity financing solution provided to the Pan African Infrastructure Development Fund II, helping the fund to continue to deliver on its strategic ambition of transforming Africa through infrastructure.
  • various clients in relation to group reorganisations, corporate structuring and estate planning structures, with particular experience in the drafting of agreements and other corporate documents pertaining to the corporate roll-over relief provisions of the Income Tax Act No 58 of 1962, including asset-for-share and amalgamation transactions.

  • Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, 2026
  • LLB (cum laude), Stellenbosch University, 2023
  • BCom Law (cum laude), Stellenbosch University, 2021

  • Authored an article titled “The Conflict Between Transparency And Privacy In the Context of Companies: A Comparative Perspective” published in the 2023 edition of the Responsa Meridiana Journal of Law
  • Presented a research paper titled “Developing a Framework for Constitutional Accountability In South Africa’s State-Owned Enterprises” at the Human Rights and Constitutional Accountability Conference in November 2024

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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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]]> Robyn Helling https://werksmans.com/team-members/robyn-helling/ Mon, 25 May 2026 12:19:15 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25808 Robyn Helling is an Associate in the Litigation and General Disputes Resolution practice area. Litigation & Dispute Resolution Litigation & Dispute Resolution Dispute Resolution Commercial Litigation Pension Fund Litigation Insurance Litigation Litigation relating to the banking industry and mining industry Arbitration Mediation and alternative dispute resolution Commercial litigation and dispute resolution One [...]

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]]> Robyn Helling is an Associate in the Litigation and General Disputes Resolution practice area.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Dispute Resolution
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Pension Fund Litigation
  • Insurance Litigation
  • Litigation relating to the banking industry and mining industry
  • Arbitration
  • Mediation and alternative dispute resolution

  • Commercial litigation and dispute resolution
  • One year of experience in the Project Finance, Energy & Infrastructure and Banking Finance Practice Areas obtained during articles (including having been a member of a team which advised and represented Lenders and Sponsors in various transactions related to the financing of renewable energy projects)

  • BA Law, University of the Witwatersrand, 2021
  • LLB (with distinction), University of the Witwatersrand, 2023
  • Admitted as an Attorney of the High Court of South Africa, 2026

  • Most Distinguished Graduand in the Degree of Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2023
  • Chairperson of the Moot Court Society at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2023

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]]> Rekgopetše Pula https://werksmans.com/team-members/rekgopetse-pula/ Tue, 12 May 2026 10:10:10 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25711 Rekgopetše Pula is an Associate Legal Practitioner in the Labour and Employment practice area. She has worked on various key pieces of legislation including the Labour Relations Act; Basic Conditions of Employment Act; the Employment Equity Act; and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. With a special focus on labour and employment related opinions [...]

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]]> Rekgopetše Pula is an Associate Legal Practitioner in the Labour and Employment practice area. She has worked on various key pieces of legislation including the Labour Relations Act; Basic Conditions of Employment Act; the Employment Equity Act; and Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. With a special focus on labour and employment related opinions and disputes.

Labour and Employment

Litigation

  • Labour and Employment Law

  • LLB, University of Stellenbosch, 2022
  • LLM, University of Stellenbosch, 2023

  • South African Broadcasting Corporation (SOC) LTD: Involved in the disciplinary proceedings and the arbitration at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (“CCMA“) with respect to the dismissal of the former Group Executive: Video Entertainment, Mr. Merlin Naicker, and the former Chief Operations Officer, Mr.Ian Plaatjes.
  • National Student Financial Aid Scheme (“NSFAS”): Involved in proceedings at the High Court and Special Investigating Unit Tribunal in respect of the irregular awarding of contracts to four service providers – Ezaga Holdings, Coinvest Africa, Norraco Corporation and Tenet Technology.
  • Department of Home Affairs: Involved in a matter relating to the employment status of members of an appeals board, and the jurisdiction of the relevant bargaining council.
  • National Student Financial Aid Scheme: Involved in proceedings leading up to the dismissal of the appeal launched by the former Chief Executive Officer in relation to the termination of his employment contract.

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]]> Kuhle Joja https://werksmans.com/team-members/kuhle-joja/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:46:42 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25652 Kuhle Joja is an Associate in the Litigation and General Disputes Resolution practice area. Litigation & Dispute Resolution General Commercial Litigation Dispute Resolution Procurement Law Constitutional & Administrative Law Regulatory Law Digital Media & Electronic Communications Aviation Experience includes involvement in: Commercial litigation; Regulatory litigation; Telecommunications law matters involving South African [...]

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Kuhle Joja is an Associate in the Litigation and General Disputes Resolution practice area.

Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • General Commercial Litigation
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Procurement Law
  • Constitutional & Administrative Law
  • Regulatory Law
  • Digital Media & Electronic Communications
  • Aviation

Experience includes involvement in:

  • Commercial litigation;
  • Regulatory litigation;
  • Telecommunications law matters involving South African telecommunications companies;
  • General administrative law reviews;
  • Procurement-related administrative law reviews;
  • Aviation law litigation;
  • Private Arbitration;
  • Competition law litigation before the Competition Tribunal, Competition Appeal Court, and Constitutional Court.

LLB, University of Western Cape, 2023

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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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]]> 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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