Banking & Finance Archives - Werksmans Attorneys https://werksmans.com/gs-team-practice-area/banking-finance/ Corporate and Commercial Law Firm Tue, 21 Jul 2026 11:06:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://werksmans.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cropped-WERKSMANS-W-scaled-1-32x32.bmp Banking & Finance Archives - Werksmans Attorneys https://werksmans.com/gs-team-practice-area/banking-finance/ 32 32 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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]]> 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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]]> Lloyrenzo September https://werksmans.com/team-members/lloyrenzo-september/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:15:21 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=25308 Lloyrenzo September obtained his BA law degree and Post Graduate LLB from Stellenbosch University. Currently an Associate in the Banking & Finance team. Lloyrenzo forms part of a team which specializes in debt and preference share funding transactions, acting for both funders and borrowers and is routinely responsible for project management, security documents and a [...]

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Lloyrenzo September obtained his BA law degree and Post Graduate LLB from Stellenbosch University. Currently an Associate in the Banking & Finance team. Lloyrenzo forms part of a team which specializes in debt and preference share funding transactions, acting for both funders and borrowers and is routinely responsible for project management, security documents and a variety of conditions precedents in relation to those transactions.

Years of Experience: 3 years

Banking & Finance

Specialises in debt and preference share funding transactions, acting for both funders and borrowers.

  • BA Law Degree, Stellenbosch University, 2021
  • Post-Graduate LLB, Stellenbosch University, 2023

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]]> Matthew Pepin https://werksmans.com/team-members/matthew-pepin/ Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:54:28 +0000 https://werksmans.com/?post_type=gs_team&p=24544 Matthew Pepin is an Associate in the Banking & Finance practice area.

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Matthew Pepin is an Associate in the Banking & Finance practice area.

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]]> Sabine Letellier https://werksmans.com/team-members/sabine-letellier/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 10:22:25 +0000 https://www.werksmans.online/?post_type=gs_team&p=18570 Sabine Letellier is a Senior Associate in the Banking & Finance, Regulatory, Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions, and Technology & Innovation and practice areas. Banking & Finance Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions Regulatory Technology & Innovation Your Content Goes Here Matters related to: Banking and Finance Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions Technology & Innovation [...]

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Sabine Letellier is a Senior Associate in the Banking & Finance, Regulatory, Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions, and Technology & Innovation and practice areas.

  • Banking & Finance
  • Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Regulatory
  • Technology & Innovation

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Matters related to:

  • Banking and Finance
  • Corporate Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Technology & Innovation

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]]> Ndzalama Dumisa https://werksmans.com/team-members/ndzalama-dumisa/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 10:08:25 +0000 https://www.werksmans.online/?post_type=gs_team&p=18561 Ndzi Dumisa is a Senior Associate in the Banking & Finance practice area. Banking & Finance Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here Your Content Goes Here

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Ndzi Dumisa is a Senior Associate in the Banking & Finance practice area.

  • Banking & Finance

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]]> Janice Geel https://werksmans.com/team-members/janice-geel/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 13:35:42 +0000 https://www.werksmans.online/?post_type=gs_team&p=18536 Janice Geel is a Candidate Attorney in the Banking and Finance Department. She completed her LLB degree (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria, where she was on the Dean’s List consecutively from her first to fourth year of studies. Whilst studying, Janice tutored Jurisprudence and Introduction to Roman Law to first-year law students. [...]

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Janice Geel is a Candidate Attorney in the Banking and Finance Department. She completed her LLB degree (cum laude) at the University of Pretoria, where she was on the Dean’s List consecutively from her first to fourth year of studies. Whilst studying, Janice tutored Jurisprudence and Introduction to Roman Law to first-year law students. In addition to her experience in regulatory compliance within the healthcare and life sciences practice area and general dispute resolution, Janice has been involved in corporate mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and the financial regulation of fin-tech, cryptocurrency and blockchain within the South African legislative framework.

  • Banking & Finance
  • Sustainability

Your Content Goes Here

Your Content Goes Here

  • LLB (cum laude), University of Pretoria, 2020
  • BSc (Honours) Physical Anthropology, University of Pretoria, 2016
  • BSc Medical Sciences, University of Pretoria, 2015

  • Awarded top student in Jurisprudence 2017

  • “I will never get caught”: The consequences of non-compliance with POPIA
  • You’ve been served…via NFT
  • The Rise in Responsible and ESG Investment

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]]> Palesa Serumula https://werksmans.com/team-members/palesa-serumula/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:41:00 +0000 https://www.werksmans.online/?post_type=gs_team&p=18461 Palesa Serumula is a Senior Associate in the Commercial team. Palesa forms part of a team which specialises in debt and preference share funding transactions, acting for both funders and borrowers, and is routinely responsible for project management, security documents and a variety of conditions precedents in relation to those transactions. Banking & [...]

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Palesa Serumula is a Senior Associate in the Commercial team. Palesa forms part of a team which specialises in debt and preference share funding transactions, acting for both funders and borrowers, and is routinely responsible for project management, security documents and a variety of conditions precedents in relation to those transactions.

  • Banking & Finance

  • Banking & Finance

Selected Borrower mandate experience

  • Part of team representing Reatile Group Proprietary Limited in relation to the provision of acquisition finance for the acquisition, and delisting from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, of Hulisani Limited by way of scheme of arrangement and the post-delisting corporate restructuring and preference share refinancing.
  • Part of team advising Royal Bafokeng Holdings Proprietary Limited in relation to the refinancing of various debt and preference share facilities provided to it by FirstRand Bank Limited.
  • Part of the team advising Adumo (RF) Proprietary Limited in relation to various preference share facilities provided to it by Investec Bank Limited.
  • Part of the team advising Moorgarth Group Holdings Limited in relation to various debt facilities provided to it by FirstRand Bank Limited

Selected Lender mandate experience (debt)

  • Part of the team advising FirstRand Bank Limited in relation to various facilities provided to Vulindlela Holdings Proprietary Limited.
  • Part of the team advising FirstRand Bank Limited in relation to various facilities provided to Paymenow Group Proprietary Limited.
  • Part of the team advising FirstRand Bank Limited in relation to various facilities provided to ZeroG Network Proprietary Limited t/a SigFox South Africa.
  • Part of the team advising FirstRand Bank Limited (acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division) in relation to the corporate restructuring of Chemfin Proprietary Limited and the provision of acquisition finance and various debt and preference share facilities.
  • Part of team advising FirstRand Bank Limited in relation to the provision of acquisition finance to The George Group Proprietary Limited, the corporate restructuring of Quatro Holdings Proprietary Limited, and term facility refinancing.
  • Part of the team advising FirstRand Bank Limited in relation to the refinancing of various debt and preference share facilities provided to Temo Capital 2 Proprietary Limited and The Bunang Trust.
  • Part of the team advising FirstRand Bank Limited in relation to various facilities provided to Westland Motors Proprietary Limited.

  • Admitted as an Attorney, 2023
  • LLB, University of Pretoria, 2019

Your Content Goes Here

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]]> Obakhe Bukula https://werksmans.com/team-members/obakhe-bukula/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 11:35:08 +0000 https://www.werksmans.online/?post_type=gs_team&p=18452 Obakhe Bukula is a Senior Associate in the Commercial Department at Werksmans, specialising in Banking & Finance and Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions. She advises principally in corporate mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, due diligence investigations, share subscriptions, funds and private equity. Obakhe also has experience in debt capital markets (with experience in listed and [...]

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Obakhe Bukula is a Senior Associate in the Commercial Department at Werksmans, specialising in Banking & Finance and Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions. She advises principally in corporate mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, due diligence investigations, share subscriptions, funds and private equity. Obakhe also has experience in debt capital markets (with experience in listed and unlisted securities subscriptions), structured finance (including loan syndications, leveraged and acquisition finance), regulatory, funds and development finance.

  • Banking & Finance
  • Corporate Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Private Equity

Commercial:

  • Banking & Finance
  • Mergers & Acquisitions

  • Advised Nedbank Group Limited in the ZAR1.8 billion acquisition of Eqstra Investment Holdings Proprietary Limited and its subsidiaries
  • Advised an international distribution and logistics company in the disposal of certain of its offshore operating subsidiaries
  • Advised an international entertainment company in the incorporation of various offshore operating subsidiaries
  • 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
  • Advised Nutun Proprietary Limited in establishing a ZAR2 billion asset-backed un-listed domestic note programme to raise working capital and support its book-buying activities in the South African market
  • 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 development finance institution in establishing and assisting with the issue of unsecured debentures under a mezzanine funding structure with a local asset management institution
  • Advised a local renewables company in establishing a ZAR5 billion asset-backed securities programme to raise funding for working capital requirements and the acquisition of solar installation agreements with residential consumers and underlying assets in the South African market
  • Acted on behalf of a local SME funding company in the creation of a syndicated funding structure to facilitate the growth of its funding portfolio
  • Advised a development finance institution in the raising of funding facilities from an international development financial institution to finance the growth of its funding to credit receivers in the domestic transport industry
  • Advised a local company in the forestry and paper sector in the raising and refinance of funding facilities to support its working capital requirements from an international development bank and financial institution
  • Assisted in structuring and establishing a local community debt fund and settling a €20 million Agreement of Grant provided by a German development financial institution
  • Advised a local banking and financial institution in various leveraged finance transactions with borrower counterparts in the mining and industrials sectors
  • The Bidvest Group Limited and certain of its subsidiaries in relation to the disposal of certain of their underlying business.
  • Nutun Proprietary Limited (part of the Transaction Capital Group) in establishing a ZAR2 billion un-listed domestic Note Programme for Nutun Proprietary Limited (part of the Transaction Capital Group) to raise working capital and support Nutun’s book-buying activities in South Africa.
  • Bayport Securitisation (RF) Limited in matters related to a listed ZAR10 billion asset-backed Note Programme to fund the business of granting un-secured personal loans to South African consumers.
  • a local SME funding company in the creation of a syndicated funding structure to facilitate the growth of its funding portfolio.
  • in the negotiation and drafting of a Common Terms Agreement and related Security Documents to facilitate the funding of the “We Buy Cars” Group by First Rand Bank Limited and other Lenders.
  • Investec Bank Limited in negotiating and drafting a working capital Facility Agreement, together with ancillary documents, for the provision of a working capital facility by Investec to a South African corporate.
  • a local company in the Forestry and Paper sector in the raising of funding facilities to support its working capital requirements from an international development bank and financial institution.
  • a local fund manager in structuring and establishing the Local Community Debt Fund and creating and concluding a €20 million Agreement of Grant with KfW, Germany.

  • Bachelor of Social Science, University of Cape Town, 2018
  • LLB, University of Cape Town, 2020

  • Ranked as Leading Associate by Legal 500 | 2026 | Commercial, Corporate and M&A

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