Team size:   13

What are the most significant cases, projects or transactions that you and/or your legal team have recently been involved in?

Vodacom’s acquisition of a 30% stake in the Maziv fibre infrastructure group, valued at approximately USD 700million.  The matter spent more 4 years in regulatory approval and was finally approved by the South African Competition Appeals Court.  The transaction unlocks material value and will enable Maziv to roll out fibre to some of our poorest communities in a significant effort to close the digital divide and make the internet accessible to millions of additional users.

How do you approach managing legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis to ensure the organisation’s resilience? 

You cannot predict the future, but you can build a team that navigates changes with resilience, enthusiasm and innovation.  I spent the last year on the design and building of a multi-disciplinary legal team who are fit for purpose to navigate the changing challenges of the legal and business environment.

Have you had any experiences during your career as a lawyer that stand out as particularly unique or interesting? 

You grow as a lawyer through difficult challenges and complex problems, but the deals and the cases are only relevant until they are replaced by new ones.  The legacy you leave are the relationships you build and the impact you have on the lives of others.

I think the most important value to add is the growth you foster in your team and even your peers.   In the same way that I grew (and still grow) through working with other professionals and building relationships with peers and colleagues, I have an obligation to assist those around me to develop both professionally and personally.

What factors influence your team’s decision to use external legal services versus handling matters in-house, and what criteria are used to evaluate their performance?   

The only thing that really matters is the quality of the work product.  If the inhouse team can deliver a top-quality product, then you do it inhouse, but if you can get a better product externally then you must outsource.   Use every outsourcing as an opportunity to learn.