Open to opportunities

Nyasha Matewe

@nyashamatewe

Seasoned in-house legal counsel specialising in competition, commercial transactions, compliance, and corporate governance.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I am seeking senior in-house legal roles that combine corporate governance, compliance and commercial counsel responsibilities, with scope for leadership and strategic impact.

I am a seasoned in-house legal professional with deep expertise across antitrust/competition law, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, commercial litigation, data privacy, marketing, and employment law. I have supported executive leadership and boards across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing strategic legal counsel and governance oversight.

Throughout my career I led competition law training, dawn-raid preparedness, and regulatory engagement with authorities including the Competition Commission, DTIC and national competition authorities. I negotiated and advised on high-value transactions, including post-acquisition arrangements for a R40.1 billion acquisition.

I have driven corporate governance, company secretarial support, and compliance frameworks, supporting board processes, resolutions, statutory filings, and B-BBEE/ESOP implementation. I also provided commercial legal support for marketing, procurement, and complex supply and outsourcing agreements.

I combine litigation and dispute management experience across multiple jurisdictions with leadership in risk, compliance, and ethics programs. I am adaptable, strategically minded, and committed to embedding a culture of legal compliance and practical commercial solutions.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Senior Legal Counsel

Heineken Beverages

Dec 2019 - Dec 2024 (5 years)

Provided legal and governance leadership for SSA operations, led post-merger transactional work for the R40.1bn Distell acquisition, negotiated trust and commercial agreements, and implemented compliance frameworks across multiple jurisdictions.

Mergers & Acquisitions Corporate Governance Contract Drafting Compliance Risk Management Stakeholder Management

Legal Counsel

Undisclosed Employer

Jul 2017 - Nov 2019 (2 years 4 months)

Drafted and negotiated commercial and employment agreements, represented the company in CCMA proceedings, and developed company policies and disciplinary documentation to improve HR and legal processes.

Contract Drafting Employment Law Dispute Resolution Policy Development Legal Research Employee Relations Disciplinary

Compliance Analyst

AML Wealth and Investment

Jan 2017 - Jun 2017 (5 months)

Implemented compliance initiatives, conducted AML/KYC and PEP due diligence, managed suspicious transaction reporting, and developed training programs to strengthen regulatory adherence.

AML KYC JSE Compliance PEP Screening Compliance Risk Assessment Training Development

Legal Intern

Undisclosed Employer

Mar 2014 - Mar 2014 (0 months)

Conducted legal research and drafted commercial law opinions while supporting senior counsel on professional liability and construction matters during vacation placement.

Legal Research Legal Writing Commercial Law Professional Liability Legal Drafting Legal Analysis

In-House Legal Advisor

British American Tobacco (SSA)

Served in advisory and governance roles including Governance Committee membership and regional legal support across SSA, focusing on distribution, regulatory engagement, and commercial contract negotiation.

Corporate Governance Commercial Contracts Regulatory Affairs Risk Mitigation