Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) is a South African firm with a pan-African focus. Founded in 1853, it has grown to its current state through mergers and now employs more than 350 lawyers across offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Stellenbosch. Among its core financial and corporate offering, the firm advises on acquisition financings, project financings, bonds and notes issues, energy and mining projects, equity and share transactions, private equity and M&A.   

Highlights 

The firm advised Retailability and subsidiaries on the sale to Pepkor Trading of several retail brands and busineses, including Legit, Style, Swagga, and Boardmans. The deal included 462 retail stores in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.   

The firm was also advising Old Mutual on funding the development of a 13.5MW hydro generation plant in Eswatini known as the Middle Lusutfu Hydropower electricity project.   

Elsewhere, the firm advised the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa (IDC) and Standard Bank on all aspects of a ZAR2 billion bond issuance by IDC.

Key clients  

Central Energy Fund, Standard Bank of South Africa, MTN, Redefine Properties, and Trident Energy Fragomen.

Testimonials 

“The firm has an experienced financing team and the ability to tap expertise across different sectors in the market offering the best service to the clients. It works well under pressure and in complex deals. It has been a great source of support for us to ensure our legal risks are managed on credit investments.” - Banking & finance  

“Deep knowledge, responsiveness, and tactical execution.” - M&A

“Good relationship management, good turnaround time. The team is commercial, and mandates are properly managed.” - M&A 

“Value-add and communication.” - M&A 

“The team is dynamic, solution-driven and has quick turnaround times.” - M&A  

“Very professional, great advice, great to work with.” - M&A 

“Great industry-specific knowledge; highly responsive team that is easy to work with.” - M&A  

“Dedication and responsiveness.” - Project finance  

“The team has exceptional knowledge, and they are always able to call on someone who is a specialist in the field.” - Restructuring   

"Johan De Lange from Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's banking, finance & projects team advised on the complex transaction, which included different class of funders including development finance institutions and an Australian Bank.” - Johan De Lange, director, banking & finance 

“He is able to distill very complex issues into manage complex situations.” - Johan de Lange, director - banking & finance  

“Andre de Lange is solutions driven, always calm and has a depth of knowledge.” - Andre de Lange, director - corporate 

“Very professional, great solutions, great to work with, efficient.” - Andre de Lange, director - corporate  

“He is highly knowledgeable, with good attention to detail, and great response and turnaround times.” - Dane Kruger, director - corporate 

“His knowledge of our business is deep, and he matches that with outstanding core knowledge in the work we need him for.” - David Thompson, deputy practice head and director - corporate 

“Excellent knowledge of our business, has a great team working for him, ability to explain complex legal matters, ability to find solutions to complex issues.” - Ian Hayes, partner and practice head - corporate 

“Engagement and quality advice.” - Mashudu Mphafudi, director and head of practice - finance banking & projects

“Mohammed is the lead partner; he brings depth of experience to the deals and provides comfort that our legal position will be protected. He is always accessible, which is key given the tight deadlines for our deals." - Mohammed Saib, director - banking, finance & projects

“She rounds up the team as necessary and gets goal congruence within the team.” - Zakiya Shaik, senior associate - corporate

“Communicates well and meets deadlines.” - Zakiya Shaik, senior associate - corporate