The 'well-rounded' banking, finance and projects team at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr continues to represent commercial banks, development finance institutions, major SOEs, and other corporations. Co-leader Mashudu Mphafudi routinely advises on project, leveraged, acquisition, and corporate finance, private equity funding, and restructurings, and co-leader Johan de Lange boasts experience in general corporate lending, including syndicated and bilateral facilities. Ludwig Smith and Deon Wilken are experienced practitioners, while Andrew van Niekerk specialises in EPC, PPP, and IPP services for clients in the infrastructure, energy, mining, transport, and real estate industries. Amelia Heeger is another key figure in the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Johan de Langer is a phenomenal lawyer. Commercial and practical, and will get a deal across the line.'
- 'Amelia Heeger is one of the brightest lawyers that I have had the pleasure of working with. She understands clients' needs as well as mitigating risk.'
- ‘The team is well-rounded and includes lawyers with different levels of experience.'
- 'The team is knowledgeable and responsive and consistently meets deadlines.’
- ‘The lawyers in the team are reliable and knowledgeable. They are responsive and will frequently pick up the phone as opposed to sending an email, which is good for creating a more personal relationship.'
- 'Mashudu Mphafudi is a standout in terms of knowledge and understanding our business.'
Key clients
- Lualaba Power and Mining Engineering Services
- Old Mutual Life Assurance
- Vodacom
- HDF Energy
- EduFund
- Clientele
- Nedbank
- Standard Bank
- Investec
- Rand Merchant Bank
- Absa Bank
Work highlights
Advising Lualaba Power and Mining Engineering Services on the development and financing of a USD550m hydroelectric dam in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Advising Vodacom on various complex cross-border transactions, including on funding for the refinance of intercompany debt to acquire 55% of the issued shares in the ordinary share capital of Vodafone Egypt, among other matters.
Advising HDF Energy on the high-profile financing and development of a USD multi-billion green hydrogen project, which will be the first of its kind in South Africa and one of the first in the world.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
Mashudu Mphafudi; Johan de Lange
Other key lawyers
Ludwig Smith; Deon Wilken; Andrew van Niekerk; Amelia Heeger