Kuda Chimedza

Kuda joined Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr as a Candidate Attorney in 2017 during which time she gained experience in our Dispute Resolution, Corporate & Commercial, and Banking, Finance & Projects practice areas. She was appointed an Associate in our Banking, Finance & Projects practice in 2019. Kuda was promoted to Senior Associate in 2022. 

Kuda was appointed as a Director in April 2025.

Kuda's experience includes –

• A variety of funding transactions comprising equity funding (including preference share funding), various forms of debt funding (including project finance and corporate finance), and restructuring, acting for borrowers, project sponsors and lenders (including development finance institutions, banks and private equity funds) across multiple sectors.
• Advising on aspects of finance including funding structures, risks and security arrangements.
• Drafting, reviewing and negotiating various commercial and financing agreements together with ancillary documents, including among others, memoranda of incorporation, shareholders' agreements, sale of shares agreements, sale of business agreements, ordinary and preference share subscription agreements, facility agreements, account bank agreements and various security documents.
• Conducting legal due diligence investigations, drafting and providing clients with due diligence reports in respect of prospective projects and funding transactions.
• Conducting research on various aspects of the law and providing clients with legal opinions thereon.
• Secondments to funders including the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited ("IDC"), Absa Bank Limited (Corporate and Investment Banking division) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa ("DBSA").

Recent transactions

• Assisted in advising Mediclinic's Southern Africa division in relation to a refinance transaction in terms of which Mediclinic secured a R8.45 billion sustainability linked loan.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the approximately R80.9 million acquisition of equity and provision of shareholder funding in Benchmark Group Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Benchmark Group Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising Firstrand Bank Limited acting through its Rand Merchant Bank Division in relation to the general banking facility and working capital facility made available to PG Group Proprietary Limited in the aggregate amount of approximately R835 million.
• Assisted in advising Old Mutual Retirement Accommodation Fund Proprietary Limited and Old Mutual Alternative Investments Proprietary Limited in the amendment and restatement of finance documents concluded with the Amber Glades group as a result of internal restructuring of the Amber Glades group.
• Assisted in advising Futuregrowth Asset Management Proprietary Limited in relation to the provision of a project finance senior term loan facility in the amount of R83 million to Harvestfresh Farms Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising Futuregrowth Asset Management Proprietary Limited in relation to the provision of a senior term loan facility in the amount of R150 million facility to African Port Logistics and Infrastructure Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to the proposed syndicated funding to be provided to Bronkorstspruit Biogas Plant (RF) Proprietary Limited where the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited's commitment was R84 million.
• Assisted in advising Busamed Proprietary Limited in relation to the debt restructuring and term loan facility provided by The Standard Bank of South Africa and Futuregrowth Asset Management Proprietary Limited in the aggregate amount of approximately R677 million.
• Assisted in advising Eskom Pension and Provident Fund in relation to its proposed investments in Lanseria International Airport and Cape Winelands Airport.
• Assisted in advising Busamed Proprietary Limited in relation to the COVID-19 relief facility provided by The Standard Bank of South Africa in the aggregate amount of approximately R55 million.
• Assisted in advising Royal Buffalo Medical Group Proprietary Limited and its affiliates in relation to the approximately R340 million project funding provided by the Development Bank of Southern Africa of the 150 bed Royal Buffalo Medical Group Private Hospital.
• Assisted in advising Alitheia IDF Fund LP acting through its affiliate IDF Capital Proprietary Limited in relation to the proposed acquisition of equity in Kitting and Allied Services Proprietary Limited for an amount of US$5 million.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the approximately R53.5 million acquisition of shareholding in Raslouw Private Hospital Proprietary Limited (the operating company) and Raslouw Propco Proprietary Limited (the property company) in relation to the 100 bed Raslouw Private Hospital which comprises a day hospital and an acute hospital.
• Assisted in advising the Development Bank of Southern Africa in relation to the restructuring of its security in relation to the funding provided to Bethlehem Hydro Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising a consortium of lenders comprising the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited, Noble Resources International Pte Ltd (incorporated in Singapore) and the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to a syndicated project finance transaction where the debt component of the transaction totaled approximately R3.5 billion to be provided to Ledjadja Proprietary Limited in relation to a mining project to be undertaken in Limpopo.
• Assisted in advising Busamed Proprietary Limited in relation to a R250 million loan refinance facility provided by the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited.
• Assisted in advising Eskom Pension and Provident Fund in relation to its investments the Hodisang Fund I Partnership.
• Assisted in advising Eskom Pension and Provident Fund in relation to its investments the Tamela Mezzanine Debt Fund I Partnership, wherein the EPPF's initial committed capital was R250 million.
• Assisted in advising Eskom Pension and Provident Fund in relation to its investments the Thuso Private Markets Incubation Fund I Partnership, wherein the EPPF's total commitment was R2 billion.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to its proposed project finance investment in Ball Foundry Technology (Private) Limited for the establishment of a foundry that manufactures and produces grinding media for sale to platinum and gold mining companies in Zimbabwe, where the debt component comprised a total commitment of $15.3 million and the equity component comprised a subscription price of approximately $684 thousand
• Assisted in advising Lali Rothe Platinum Refineries SA Proprietary Limited in relation to various debt loans obtained from the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa together with equity funding by way of subscription for ordinary shares, for the establishment of an electronic waste to specialty precious metal chemical salts manufacturing plant in Hammanskraal, where the total investment was approximately R44.2 million.
• Assisted in advising Sephaku Cement Proprietary Limited in the negotiation and settlement of addenda to various finance documents relating to a cement mine, clinker plant and milling plants project in a syndicated funding transaction to the value of approximately R2 billion provided by a consortium of lenders comprising The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Nedbank Limited, Sanlam Life Insurance Limited, Sanlam Life Insurance Limited, Sanlam Investment Management Proprietary Limited, State Bank of India, Futuregrowth Asset Management Proprietary Limited and Bank of China Limited.
• Assisted in advising Malani Padayachee and Associates Proprietary Limited in relation to a working capital facility of R25 million provided by Mott Macdonald Holdings (South Africa) Proprietary Limited and a refinance facility of R8 million provided by Mott Macdonald Holdings (South Africa) Proprietary Limited to a subsidiary Malani Padayachee and Associates Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to the capital restructure of Afrisam Proprietary Limited, which comprised of debt and equity restructure to the value of R8 billion.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to the funding and security agreements relating its investments in the Oceans Hotel development, which is a R4.3 billion development. The investment comprised both equity (in the form of preference shares) and debt funding.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to a R178 million senior CPI facility made available to Phakwe Power One (RF) Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to the debt restructuring of a R500 million debt provided to Just Veggies Proprietary Limited and the introduction of new funding into Just Veggies Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to the acquisition of 99.81% of the issued share capital in the South African Bank of Athens by Grocapital Proprietary Limited ("Grocapital"), a subsidiary of Afgri Proprietary Limited. The acquisition comprised a combination of debt provided by Nedbank Limited, and equity made available by the shareholders of Grocapital including the Public Investment Corporation and Fairfax (a Canadian private equity fund). The total transaction value was approximately R1 billion.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to drafting of security documents and reviewing equity collar confirmation documents, in the equity collar transaction with CitiGroup Global Markets Limited represented by Clifford Chance LLP (London office). The transaction entailed the increase of the shares held by the PIC in MTN Group Limited by 10%.
• Assisted in advising the Public Investment Corporation SOC Limited in relation to its investment in Phila Africa Proprietary Limited ("Phila Africa"), a significant subsidiary of Afgri Proprietary Limited, in terms of which the PIC increased its shareholding in Phila Africa and provided equity loan funding. The transaction value was approximately R1.4 billion.
• Assisted in advising the Development Bank of Southern Africa in relation to the restructuring of Blue Ridge Mining Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising the Development Bank of Southern Africa in relation to a term loan facility provided to the Scatec Solar Projects for three energy projects, these included: Sirius Solar PV project One, Dyason Klip 1 and Dyason Klip 2. Scatec Solar was awarded preferred bidder status for the three projects in Upington of 258MW in the fourth bidding round under the REIPP Programme.
• Assisted in advising the Development Bank of Southern Africa in relation to a loan facility provided to PGE Copperton (RF) Proprietary Limited for a wind power generation facility, in the region of R165 million; and
• Assisted in advising the Development Bank of Southern Africa in relation to the BEE financing of the 140MW Roggeveld Wind Power Project in the region of R130 million.
• Assisted in advising Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital Proprietary Limited in relation to a R100 million loan facility provided by The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited .
• Assisted in advising Busamed Proprietary Limited in relation to a R250 million loan facility provided by PIC in relation to a refinance transaction.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited and its affiliates in relation to approximately R22 million sale of business transaction concluded with Mediclinic Proprietary Limited in relation to Mediclinic Barberton Private Hospital together with the pharmacy business.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of the business of Mediclinic Barberton Private Hospital
• Assisted in advising Busamed Proprietary Limited in relation to its approximately R78.5 million acquisition of equity in Lowveld Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising Busamed Private Hospital Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Lowveld Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the approximately R32.5 million acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited, the operating company in respect of the 97-bed Abaqulusi Private Hospital and pharmacy.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 50-bed private hospital located in the Western Cape Province, under the name and style of the Blue Downs Community Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 130-bed private hospital to be located in the Eastern Cape Province, under the named and style of Herolim Private Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 42-bed private hospital located in the Limpopo Province, the under the name and style of Phodiclinic Bela Bela, which previously traded as St Vincent's Private Hospital.
• Assisted in advising Miimee Investments Proprietary Limited in relation to the due diligence investigation conducted in respect to the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 93-bed private hospital to be located in the Gauteng province under the name and style of Medin Health National Brain and Heart Institute.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the approximately R32.5 million acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited, the operating company in respect of the 97-bed Abaqulusi Private Hospital and pharmacy.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 50-bed private hospital located in the Western Cape Province, under the name and style of the Blue Downs Community Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited and its affiliates in relation to approximately R22 million sale of business transaction concluded with Mediclinic Proprietary Limited in relation to Mediclinic Barberton Private Hospital together with the pharmacy business.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of the business of Mediclinic Barberton Private Hospital
• Assisted in advising Busamed Proprietary Limited in relation to its approximately R78.5 million acquisition of equity in Lowveld Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising Busamed Private Hospital Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Lowveld Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the approximately R32.5 million acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited, the operating company in respect of the 97-bed Abaqulusi Private Hospital and pharmacy.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 50-bed private hospital located in the Western Cape Province, under the name and style of the Blue Downs Community Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 130-bed private hospital to be located in the Eastern Cape Province, under the named and style of Herolim Private Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 42-bed private hospital located in the Limpopo Province, the under the name and style of Phodiclinic Bela Bela, which previously traded as St Vincent's Private Hospital.
• Assisted in advising Miimee Investments Proprietary Limited in relation to the due diligence investigation conducted in respect to the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 93-bed private hospital to be located in the Gauteng province under the name and style of Medin Health National Brain and Heart Institute.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the approximately R32.5 million acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited, the operating company in respect of the 97-bed Abaqulusi Private Hospital and pharmacy.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted prior to the aforementioned acquisition of equity in Abaqulusi Private Hospital Proprietary Limited.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 50-bed private hospital located in the Western Cape Province, under the name and style of the Blue Downs Community Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 130-bed private hospital to be located in the Eastern Cape Province, under the named and style of Herolim Private Hospital.
• Assisted in advising RH Managers Proprietary Limited in relation to the legal due diligence investigation conducted in respect of the proposed funding for the development and construction of a 42-bed private hospital located in the Limpopo Province, the under the name and style of Phodiclinic Bela Bela, which previously traded as St Vincent's Private Hospital.

• The Legal 500 EMEA 2025 mentioned Kuda for Banking, Finance & Capital Markets.