Sandile Khoza to take baton as Regional Head for Durban ahead of NRF South Africa independence

Sandile Khoza’s leadership capability, strategic mindset, and strong connection to the Durban market make him the right person to help take their South African legal practice forward, announced Brent Botha this week, following on from the news that global firm Norton Rose Fulbright will withdraw from the South African legal market. 

As reported by Africa Legal earlier this month, nearly 15 years after one of South Africa’s ‘Big Five’ firms, Deneys Reitz, merged with global firm Norton Rose, the South African business will once again become an independent law firm from 31 March 2026, following a carefully structured transition. Botha, the current CEO of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa, will lead the independent South African firm. 

This week he has revealed that Khoza will step into the role of Durban regional head,

“Leadership transitions remind us of the strength of our people,” said Botha. “After twelve years at the helm, Craig Woolley hands over the reins in Durban, having shaped a culture of stability, integrity and performance. I am chuffed to announce that Sandile Khoza will step into the role of Durban regional head.”

A litigation lawyer based in the Durban office, Khoza originally joined Deneys Reitz as a candidate attorney in 2007, and has been a Director of Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa since 2013. Khoza’s dispute resolution work focuses on insurance litigation, and he acts for the majority of the major banks and as local counsel for two of the top commercial banks in Swaziland in foreclosure matters. His experience also includes commercial litigation (mainly insolvencies and liquidations), calling up of security on debts and foreclosure related disputes, contractual disputes, debt recoveries, liquidations and sequestrations and defending reputational risk matters. 

Khoza has also been a member of Norton Rose Fulbright’s business ethics and anti-corruption team. He shared on social media that he was “really looking forward” to the new challenge as Regional Head for Durban. He will officially take the baton from Woolley on 1 January 2026, three months before Norton Rose Fulbright’s South African practice is scheduled to become an independent law firm once more. 

A leading litigator with more than 35 years’ experience, Woolley is a member of the Law Societies of Kwazulu-Natal, Northern and Cape Provinces, and originally joined the firm in 1989. When announcing the leadership change, Botha expressed his gratitude to Woolley, and excitement for Khoza and the journey ahead.