Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa International Section

Mr. Robert Appelbaum Executive Committee Member, INBA, Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa International Section

Mr. Robert Appelbaum
Executive Committee Member, INBA, Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa International Section

Mr. Robert Appelbaum, Executive Committee Member, INBA, Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa International Section.

Robert Appelbaum is a partner in the Corporate Practice and also heads the Engineering & Construction Sector Group at Webber Wentzel.

He specialises in mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, joint ventures and other corporate transactional work and has advised a substantial number of Asian-owned multinational companies in relation to their expansion into Africa. He is an expert in South East Asia and has represented a number of South African companies who have set up operations in Asia. Robert has significant experience in the mining, infrastructure, power, oil and gas, construction, financial services and healthcare sectors. He is an Honorary Business Representative for the Middle East and Africa Group for International Enterprise Singapore; the government agency driving Singapore’s external economy.  He is also director of the Centre for Indian Studies at the University of the Witwatersrand and an accomplished international speaker on the topic of doing business in India.  In addition, Robert has written a variety of articles on and business relations with India.

His expertise has been recognised by international research organisations including Chambers Global (Corporate/ M&A and Construction) and Legal 500 (M&A).  He has also been named in India Business Law Journal’sannual survey of the top international law firms for India-related work.

Robert is the co-author of a book relating to Business Rescue in South Africa.

Robert has BA and LLB degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Ms. Safiyya Patel Executive Committee Member, INBA, Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa, International Section

Ms. Safiyya Patel
Executive Committee Member, INBA, Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa, International Section

                                                                            Ms. Safiyya Patel, Executive Committee Member, INBA, Johannesburg Chapter, South Africa International Section.

Safiyya Patel is a partner and heads the Corporate Practice at Webber Wentzel

Safiyya has 14 years of experience as a mergers and acquisition and commercial law attorney. She has significant experience in cross-border transactions in particular in relation to India into Africa. She has also advised on joint ventures, company formations and reorganisations. Safiyya has gained specialised expertise in Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (“BEE”) compliance generally and in specific sectors such as mining, financial, construction and so forth. She has also developed specialised skills in media, telecommunications, broadcasting and IT law.

Safiyya has represented Indian, Japanese, European and American clients with respect to their businesses in South Africa and the rest of Africa. She has also represented various state-owned enterprises, local enterprises and non-governmental organisations.

Safiyya has published various articles on BEE and the Companies Act, 2008 and has made various public presentations regarding these subjects.