Webber Wentzel

Senior Partner: Christo Els

Number of partners: 180+

Number of lawyers: 540+

Languages: English, Dutch, French, German, Portuguese, Afrikaans

Firm Overview:

Founded in 1868, Webber Wentzel is a leading full-service law firm that provides clients with innovative solutions to their most complex legal and tax issues across Sub-Saharan Africa. With over 540 lawyers, its multidisciplinary expertise is consistently ranked top-tier in leading directories and awards, both in South Africa and across the African continent. Its collaborative alliance with Linklaters and strong relationships with outstanding law firms across Africa provide clients with market-leading support wherever they do business. Webber Wentzel was named South Africa Law Firm of the Year at the Chambers Africa Awards in 2021, 2022 and 2024. It also won the Innovation Award at the African Legal Awards in 2024.

Webber Wentzel's purpose is to have a transformative and sustainable impact through its work and actions. The firm believes in making a positive contribution to the communities in which it works and is proud to be home to one of South Africa’s longest-standing, dedicated pro-bono practices. It is committed to promoting access to justice for all South Africans, upholding the Constitution and protecting the rule of law. Its Corporate Social Investment initiatives also focus on supporting initiatives and projects that promote access to justice, education and access to education and socio-economic development.

Through Webber Wentzel Fusion, the firm’s NewLaw and legal technology division, it seamlessly integrates legal expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver client-centric solutions. Fusion redefines the client experience by providing efficient, digitally enhanced legal services that prioritise innovation, efficiency, and exceptional outcomes. By leveraging automation, AI-driven tools, and data insights, Fusion enables businesses to navigate complex legal challenges with greater agility and precision.

As a firm, it is committed to transformation and diversity. It is an accredited Level 1 broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) contributor and engages in a number of initiatives aimed at driving transformation and inclusivity within their organisation, the legal sector and society.

Practice Areas

Administrative Law

Banking & Finance

Business Rescue & Restructuring

Capital Markets

Competition

Corporate/M&A

Corporate Investigations

Dispute Resolution

Employment

Intellectual Property

International Arbitration

Investment Funds

IT & Telecommunications

Media & Broadcasting

Projects

Real Estate

Regulatory (including Financial)

Tax

Transfer Pricing

Sectors

Agribusiness, Food & Beverage

Energy & Infrastructure

Engineering & Construction

Financial Services

Fintech

Hospitality & Leisure

Industrials

Mining

Private Equity & Strategic Investors

Retail

Telecommunications, Media & Technology

Transport

Recent high-profile matters include acting for/advising:

• FirstRand Bank Limited (Rand Merchant Bank Division), Absa Bank Limited (Corporate and Investment Banking Division) and The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Corporate and Investment Banking Division) as joint underwriters for the rights offer, and RMB, Absa, SBSA, and Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc as joint global coordinators and bookrunners for the proposed IPO and listing of the Group’s Boxer business on the JSE—all as part of Pick n Pay Stores Limited’s two-step recapitalisation plan.
• MultiChoice Group Limited on the mandatory offer by Groupe Canal+ S.A (Canal+) to acquire the remaining shares in MultiChoice not already owned by Canal+. This marked the largest media M&A deal in Africa.
• iCON Infrastructure LLP on its purchase of 100% of Life Healthcare Group's interest in Alliance Medical Group.
• Mulilo Energy Holdings and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners in a landmark renewable energy M&A transaction.
• Actis and the Purchaser in relation to the acquisition by an entity incorporated for the purpose of the transaction by: (i) an infrastructure fund managed by a subsidiary of Actis LLP; and (ii) a vehicle owned by Royal Bafokeng Holdings Proprietary Limited as its BEE partner of Swiftnet SOC Limited, a leading telecom tower portfolio in South Africa, from Telkom.
• Actis on its disposal of 100% of Octotel, a leading South African fibre network operator, and its 45% stake in RSAWeb to an SPV held by a consortium comprising AIIM, STOA and Thebe for an aggregate equity value of ZAR 6.5 billion.
• A consortium led by Alterra Capital, including Admaius Capital and the Mineworkers Investment Company, in relation to the acquisition of the Chill Beverages group of companies. This acquisition marks the first investment by Alterra's Africa Accelerator Fund Fund.
• Sale of The Beverage Company by its shareholders, including by The Rohatyn Group and Nedbank Private Equity, to Varun Beverages Limited for a valuation of ZAR 3 billion.
• Seriti Green in relation to the roll out of approximately 3.2 GW of wind energy projects in Mpumalanga.
• SOLA Group on the Springbok Solar Facility, the first multi-offtake utility scale private IPP to close in South Africa.
• Rand Merchant Bank, as lender and mandated lead arranger, for the Oya Energy Hybrid Facility, the first and largest renewable energy project of its kind.
• MultiChoice Group in the establishment of a joint venture with NBC Universal Media, LLC and Sky UK Limited to bring some of the world’s best content and technology to streaming customers across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Premier Group on its JSE listing.
• Heineken International on its acquisition of the Distell Group and the Namibian Breweries Group.
• Sanlam Allianz Africa Proprietary Limited in respect of its capitalisation and that of its subsidiaries in connection with a mandatory takeover offer for shares in Sanlam Maroc S.A.
• AutoX on its acquisition of Zimco Group.
• Naspers and Prosus on the unwinding of their cross-holding structure.
• Ndalamo Coal Proprietary Limited on its bid to purchase Arnot Opco.
• Woolworths Holdings Limited on its acquisition of 93.45% of the shares in privately-owned South African pet care retailer, Absolute Pets Proprietary Limited.
• A landmark case seeking to overhaul existing maternity and parental leave provisions.
• Sasol and its partner, Air Liquide, on another purchase agreement for 260MW of renewable energy from TotalEnergies Mulilo.
• Anglo American and its joint venture with EDF Renewables, Envusa Energy, on the drafting and negotiation of PPAs with three renewable energy generation facilities and Electricity Offtake Agreements with three Anglo American and De Beers business units.
• Exxaro Coal on the procurement and closure of its offtake arrangements with Exxaro Energy on the 68MW Lephalale Solar Project.
• Qatar Investment Authority, alongside Linklaters, on its joint venture with Enel Green Power regarding Enel's African renewable energy portfolio.
• The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure on its procurement of a private sector party for the design, finance, installation, maintenance and operation of renewable energy, energy efficiency , water efficiency and waste management solutions across its government buildings portfolio.