Asanda Busakwe
Legal, Compliance And Governance Professional
Ekurhuleni,GP
Summary
Senior legal and governance professional with 13+ years of progressive administrative responsibility and 9+ years of hands-on legal, regulatory, and compliance exposure across litigation, debt collection, insolvency, business rescue, public sector operations, and board/committee governance environments. Demonstrated ability to operate at board, executive, and regulatory interface level, supporting decision-making, compliance monitoring, governance processes, and statutory obligations. Currently completing LLB, Compliance Officer (theory completed) and CGISA Company Secretarial Diploma, with additional exposure to JSE compliance frameworks. Brings maturity, judgement, discretion, and execution capability expected at senior officer level, even where formal titles did not yet reflect scope.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
4
4
Languages
Work History
Secretarial Assistant: Operational Committees
Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa
09.2025 - Current
- Coordinate operational committees (e.g. Regional Governors Forum, Public/Private Sector Engagement Forums, Academic Relations Forum, Disciplinary Panels, etc.) including meeting logistics, agendas, minutes, and follow-ups.
- Maintain committee charters, terms of reference, and ensured compliance with governance procedures.
- Advise committee members on procedures, supported decision-making, and monitored implementation of resolutions.
- Manage induction, orientation, and training for new committee members; coordinated annual performance evaluations.
- Oversee reimbursements, payment schedules, and reporting of committee activities to management.
- Develop and implemented operational plans, KPIs, and performance reports aligned with organisational strategy.
- Ensure adherence to proper processes in board member appointments and governance practices.
- Prepared monthly and annual reports for the Company Secretary and provided ad hoc secretarial support as required.
- Develop Board SOPs as required.
- Supported the onboarding process of new employees by providing training materials and guidance on company policies.
Senior Litigation Secretary
Ncube Incorporated Attorneys
07.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided comprehensive litigation and administrative support across commercial litigation, labour law, and debt collections portfolios.
- Drafted, formatted, and proofread pleadings, affidavits, summonses, notices, legal opinions, and correspondence with high attention to procedural accuracy.
- Prepared and managed Combined Summons, demand letters, and court documentation in line with Magistrates’ Court and High Court rules.
- Supported attorneys with CCMA processes, labour dispute documentation, review applications, and procedural compliance.
- Assisted with drafting nomination letters for senior management and Board appointments for corporate and public-sector clients.
- Conducted legal due diligence on potential partners and service providers on behalf of clients.
- Managed billing processes, debit fees, RFQs, invoicing, and legal cost recovery using industry-specific legal software.
- Liaised with clients, sheriffs, counsel, and external stakeholders to ensure timely service and court compliance.
- Utilised legal platforms including Caselines, AJS, GhostPractice, PM Pro, LegalSuite, and CourtOnline.
- Supported the Legal Collections department by preparing demand letters and drafting Combined Summons in collaboration with paralegals, ensuring timely service updates.
- Assisted to draft and preparing nomination letters for Senior Management for Board of Director appointments with precision and professionalism.
- Liaising effectively with clients and stakeholders, ensuring prompt and accurate preparation of necessary documents.
- Prepare requests for quotations (RFQs) as needed for the firm.
- Attending to drafting bulk appointment, non-compliance and regret letters for tender submissions on behalf of clients (public entities-clients).
- Conduct due diligence on potential partners on behalf of clients.
- Extensive experience in using Cortonline/Caselines, AJS, GhostPractice, PM Pro and Legalsuite.
- Experienced with the CCMA processes, timelines and labour court review processes.
- Drafting legal opinions, memoranda, letters, and other any documents as required.
- Checking, sorting, organising, and filing of all documents.
- Attend meetings when necessary and preparing agendas and minutes of meetings as and when required.
Senior Legal Secretary
DM5 Incorporated
02.2024 - 07.2024
- Delivered senior-level secretarial support to attorneys across litigation and advisory practices.
- Drafted, amended, and managed complex legal documentation, ensuring version control, cross-referencing, and accurate incorporation of tracked changes.
- Recorded detailed minutes of legal and strategy meetings, capturing resolutions and follow-up actions.
- Managed electronic document management systems, ensuring audit-ready, well-indexed legal records.
- Supported preparation and coordination of tender submissions, compiling multi-stakeholder inputs into compliant proposals.
- Assisted attorneys with regulatory correspondence, contract documentation, and compliance-related submissions.
Financial Advisor
Liberty Financial Services
09.2022 - 10.2023
- Provided financial guidance and strategic advice to a diverse client base, cultivated and sustained strong client relationships through exceptional service.
- Prepared comprehensive financial planning to achieve clients' immediate and future goals.
- Provided regulated financial advice in compliance with FAIS, FICA, POPIA, AML, KYC, TCF, and Due Diligence requirements.
- Conducted client risk profiling, needs analysis, and financial planning, aligning advice with regulatory suitability standards.
- Prepared and maintained compliance documentation, ensuring audit-ready records and regulatory defensibility.
- Managed case submissions, underwriting processes, and claims administration, liaising with internal and external stakeholders.
- Actively monitored regulatory developments, ensuring ongoing compliance with industry standards.
- Employed prospecting techniques, including social media, to expand client portfolio.
Legal Secretary (Commercial)
DRSM Attorneys
05.2022 - 09.2022
- Managed end-to-end debt recovery (VAF Collections) in the JHB and PTA Jurisdictions and litigation administration, from summons to judgment and execution.
- Drafted and processed pleadings, summonses, warrants, judgments, and court applications in line with court rules.
- Advised clients on business rescue and liquidation status, supporting informed decision-making.
- Ensured compliance with court filing systems, deadlines, and procedural requirements using AJS and CaseLines.
- Managed client communications, payment negotiations, and settlement arrangements, balancing legal risk and commercial outcomes.
- Maintained structured file management systems, supporting internal controls and compliance.
Field Operations Officer
StatisticsSA
12.2021 - 05.2022
- Led and coordinated large-scale national census field operations, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, internal controls, and operational protocols.
- Supervised and supported Field Operations Officers, Supervisors, and Enumerators, providing guidance on compliance with data-collection standards and ethical handling of sensitive information.
- Oversaw quality assurance reviews of field submissions, validating accuracy, completeness, and adherence to prescribed methodologies.
- Acted as a key liaison between district leadership, field teams, and central administration, ensuring alignment with project objectives and timelines.
- Managed operational reporting, consolidating data from multiple teams for submission to senior management and project coordinators.
- Supported risk identification and mitigation, including escalation of operational risks, staffing challenges, and data integrity concerns.
- Ensured proper administration of payments, approvals, and reconciliations for field personnel in line with public-sector governance standards.
- Utilised CAPI systems and telephonic interviewing platforms, ensuring compliance with approved data-collection processes and information security protocols.
Legal Assistant
NVDB Attorneys
03.2021 - 10.2021
- Amended and updated terms of judgment on AJS.
- Coordinated with South African Credit Bureaus to communicate judgment terms.
- Executed Warrant of Attachment processes for various courts, including Magistrate, Regional, and High Court.
- Issued Warrants for movable property and bank account attachments, including Rule 47 compliance.
- Directed Sheriffs to serve warrants and compile inventories of movable property and proceed to the sale of the attached goods to be paid over to the client.
- Provided clients with strategic advice on the valuation of inventory for auction sales, utilizing the CGIC portal for balance confirmation.
- Skillfully drafted Rule 45 indemnity documents and Notices of Sale.
- Negotiated sale terms and managed auction advertising logistics with Sheriffs.
- Utilized Searchworks to verify insolvency status of entities and defendants.
Legal Secretary
DRSM Attorneys
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Achieved KPI targets in debt review, debt collection and acceptable settlement agreements for clients.
- Proactively followed up on payments, negotiating repayment plans and creating amortization schedules.
- Managed the drafting, issuing and reissuing of Warrant of Attachment documents (Bank Account & Moveable Assets) and liaising with Sheriffs for service and sale of attached goods.
- Advised clients on the status of companies under business rescue or Liquidation.
- Proficient in legal software, adept at scanning, uploading Return of Service to AJS and Vertigo systems, and maintaining cost updates.
- Efficiently handled administrative tasks, such as tracking notices sent via registered post.
- Implemented a robust file management technique, including opening, archiving, and updating files on AJS.
- Provided exceptional client service, addressing telephonic and email inquiries promptly and effectively.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with clients, opposing counsel, and correspondent attorneys, ensuring smooth transaction of instructions and court outcomes.
- Drafted legal documents such as Warrants/Writs of Attachment, Summons, Pleadings, and Judgments.
- Attended to streamline court processes by lodging applications for default judgments and securing court dates on CaseLines.
- Ensured prompt service of issued Summons by directing instruction to relevant Sheriffs.
Receptionist/Legal Secretary
Labour24
05.2016 - 12.2019
- Attended to delivering exceptional client service by warmly greeting and offering refreshments upon arrival.
- Attended to the management of a 6-line switchboard, ensuring efficient communication flow internally and externally by transferring calls to appropriate personnel, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Attended to Dictaphone typing for accurate documentation drafting notices and pleadings as directed by the Managing Directors and Attorneys) and record-keeping.
- Attended to maintaining office organization through meticulous management of the office and Director's diary.
- Attended to making accommodation and travel arrangements for the Managing Directors and Consultants.
Switchboard Operator/Front Desk Receptionist
Radisson Blu Hotel
02.2014 - 01.2016
- Managed multi-line switchboard operations in a high-pressure hospitality environment.
- Delivered front-office and guest services aligned with brand standards and service excellence.
- Processed room service orders via MICROS system with accuracy and efficiency.
- Supported guest relations and front-office teams during peak operational periods.
- Resolved guest queries professionally, contributing to positive guest experience outcomes.
- Welcomed guests, managed check-ins/outs, handled reservations, resolve issues, and coordinated with other departments (Maintenance & Housekeeping), while embodied the "Yes I Can!" attitude to create memorable experiences with a focus on exceptional service, problem-solving, and teamwork.
- Managed high volume of calls during peak hours, maintaining composure under pressure while efficiently handling each caller''s needs.
Admin Assistant and Payroll Clerk
Colven associates
10.2012 - 02.2014
- Attended to managing the reception and administrative tasks, ensuring efficient office operations.
- Attended to the execution of weekly and fortnightly payroll and financial responsibilities with precision and confidentiality.
- Skillfully screened calls, inquiries, and requests, enhancing communication efficiency.
- Executed weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payroll processing, ensuring alignment with timesheets, statutory schedules, and contractual obligations.
- Verified payroll calculations against attendance records and statutory deductions.
- Ensured printed payslips were accurately distributed to employees and clients.
- Managed and completed UIF (U.I.19), IOD, COIDA and other statutory documentation submissions.
- Maintained accurate payroll and administrative records using Excel and Word (MS Office Suite).
- Acted as liaison between management, employees, and external stakeholders.
Education
Grade 12 -
Morningside High School
GqeberhaNational Diploma Public Management -
Nelson Mandela University
Port Elizabeth/GqeberhaAdvanced Diploma - Public Management
Nelson Mandela University
Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Laws -
University of South Africa
JohannesburgOccupational Certificate - Compliance Officer
Moonstone Business School
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
Diploma - Company Secretary
Chartered Governance Institute South Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Governance Knowledge: Understanding of corporate law, bylaws, and best practices Knowledge of corporate law, King V, PFMA, JSE Listing Requirements, governance policies, and board-portal practices
Organisation & Detail: Meticulous attention to detail, planning, and time management
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication
Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive information discreetly
Personal Information
- Nationality: South African
- Driving License: Code B - Own Car
Timeline
Secretarial Assistant: Operational Committees
Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa
09.2025 - Current
Senior Litigation Secretary
Ncube Incorporated Attorneys
07.2024 - 05.2025
Senior Legal Secretary
DM5 Incorporated
02.2024 - 07.2024
Financial Advisor
Liberty Financial Services
09.2022 - 10.2023
Legal Secretary (Commercial)
DRSM Attorneys
05.2022 - 09.2022
Field Operations Officer
StatisticsSA
12.2021 - 05.2022
Legal Assistant
NVDB Attorneys
03.2021 - 10.2021
Legal Secretary
DRSM Attorneys
01.2020 - 02.2021
Receptionist/Legal Secretary
Labour24
05.2016 - 12.2019
Switchboard Operator/Front Desk Receptionist
Radisson Blu Hotel
02.2014 - 01.2016
Admin Assistant and Payroll Clerk
Colven associates
10.2012 - 02.2014
Advanced Diploma - Public Management
Nelson Mandela University
04.2001 -
Occupational Certificate - Compliance Officer
Moonstone Business School
04.2001 -
Diploma - Company Secretary
Chartered Governance Institute South Africa
04.2001 -
Grade 12 -
Morningside High School
National Diploma Public Management -
Nelson Mandela University
Bachelor of Laws -
University of South Africa