Nkonzo Hlatshwayo | Chairman

Qualifications:

  • Master of Laws (LLM), (Osgoode Hall Law School, York University (Canada))
  • LLB & BA (Law) (UNESWA
  • Senior Executive Programme for Southern Africa – Harvard/Wits Business School
  • Specialist courses in mergers, acquisitions, and competition law (US DOJ & FTC internships)

A highly accomplished legal professional with over 26 years of experience in competition law, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, and cross-border transactions across Africa. He currently serves as a Director at Werksmans Attorneys, where he advises clients on complex competition law, antitrust, and international trade matters across South Africa and key African markets, including COMESA, EAC, and SADC member states.

His distinguished career spans both private practice and regulatory leadership, providing a unique perspective on competition enforcement, adjudication, and corporate governance. He previously led the Competition Practice at Lawtons Africa, advising on major transactions, merger approvals, and compliance programmes. Earlier roles as Partner at Hogan Lovells and Webber Wentzel saw him specialise in merger control, leniency applications, abuse of dominance investigations, and competition compliance audits.

He also served as Chairman of the Eswatini Competition Commission, where he oversaw the adjudication of mergers and restrictive business practices while providing strategic governance oversight. His extensive regional expertise and proven leadership make him a respected authority in competition law and regulatory affairs across the African continent.