Haafizah Khota
Haafizah is a Senior Associate in our Corporate & Commercial practice. She specialises in mergers and acquisitions, as well as advising on company law, corporate governance and specialised commercial contracts.
About Haafizah
About Haafizah
In 2018, Haafizah began her professional career as a Legal Analyst at Herbert Smith Freehills South Africa LLP. After a successful year, she then moved to Hogan Lovells Johannesburg Inc. in 2019 to commence her legal training. In 2020, she joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc. as a Candidate Attorney and was appointed as an Associate in 2021. She was promoted to Senior Associate in 2024.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB), with Distinction (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Post Graduate Certificate: Advanced Company Law I (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Post Graduate Certificate: Cyber Law (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Languages
Languages
- English
About Haafizah
In 2018, Haafizah began her professional career as a Legal Analyst at Herbert Smith Freehills South Africa LLP. After a successful year, she then moved to Hogan Lovells Johannesburg Inc. in 2019 to commence her legal training. In 2020, she joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Inc. as a Candidate Attorney and was appointed as an Associate in 2021. She was promoted to Senior Associate in 2024.
Credentials
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB), with Distinction (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Post Graduate Certificate: Advanced Company Law I (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Post Graduate Certificate: Cyber Law (University of the Witwatersrand)
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
Languages
- English
Experience
Advising local and multinational clients
Haafizah has experience advising local and multinational clients on mergers and acquisitions, due diligence investigations, corporate reorganisations and restructures, bespoke commercial contracts, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, corporate governance and Companies Act compliance. She has specialised knowledge of the South African regulatory landscape, with a focus on the mining, aviation, film, industrial and logistics sectors.
News
Industry update: Change in air service licensing process
In a significant shift for South Africa’s aviation sector, the Minister of Transport has announced a crucial change regarding the processing of Foreign Operator Permit applications...
Empowering women in M&A through the transformative power of female mentorship
Haafizah Khota, Senior Associate in the Corporate & Commercial practice, was featured in the DealMakers Women 2024 issue, where she shared insights on Empowering women in M&A through...
Drone operations in South Africa: An overview of the legal landscape
In recent years, South Africa has embraced drone technology, with both hobbyists and commercial operators leveraging its potential. Drones, technically known as remotely piloted aircraft...
Skyward shift: Modernising air service licensing in South Africa
In a move geared towards enhancing the efficiency of air service licensing in South Africa, local operators’ air service licence applications and foreign operators’ permit applications...
Paycheck Politics: Decoding the Companies Amendment Bill and its impact on executive remuneration
In recent years, there has been a significant global focus on the remuneration of senior executives within companies. This heightened attention is especially pertinent in South Africa,...
