Johannes Gouws

Director

Country Managing Partner, South Africa

...demonstrate outstanding leadership and bring precision and attention to detail that consistently adds value. Their client-first mindset makes them trusted advisors.

— Legal500 2026

Emailjohannes.gouws@dlapiper.com

Call+27 (0)11 302 0816

Johannesburg

About

Johannes specialises in cross-border and domestic mergers and acquisitions, securities regulation, corporate finance, corporate law and the resolution of financial institutions.

In recent years he has acted in many of the largest corporate transactions in South Africa, across a range of sectors, including, banking and financial services, insurance, agriculture and retail.

Areas of FocusMergers and Acquisitions Corporate Financial Services Consumer Goods, Food and Retail

Professional QualificationsAttorney of the High Court of South Africa, 1995

EXPERIENCE

Advising Sanlam Life Insurance on its subscription for a new class of shares in African Rainbow Capital Investments, representing a 25% economic interest in the ARC Fund’s diversified investment portfolio, for an aggregate consideration of ZAR3.2 billion. The transaction was implemented through an amended memorandum of incorporation and involved significant South African corporate structuring and governance considerations.
Advising FirstRand Bank and First National Bank Zambia on the acquisition of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia's wealth and retail business for a consideration amount equal to the value of the assets acquired, settled by the assumption of liabilities, plus a goodwill asset of USD46.9 million (which is subject to adjustment, up to no more than USD51.7 million and down to no less than USD9.8 million).
Advising FirstRand on the transfer of the clients, the banking assets and liabilities and the employees of HSBC's branch in South Africa (HSBC South Africa) to FirstRand’s wholly owned subsidiary FirstRand Bank.
Advising South African commercial banks (Absa Bank, Capitec Bank, FirstRand, Nedbank, Standard Bank, Investec Bank and Dandyshelf) on the subscription by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Capitec and Investec for shares in PayInc, a national payment utility for collaboration between SARB and key players in the financial services industry, aimed at delivering an inclusive, public-interest driven infrastructure that supports payment related objectives.
Advising Sanlam on the conclusion of a distribution and profit-sharing agreement with Tyme Bank, in terms of which the parties will cooperate with one another to offer co-branded banking and related products and services to Sanlam customers and the broader public in South Africa, with the parties having various roles and responsibilities to facilitate the commercial arrangement between them.
Advising First National Bank Ghana Limited on the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of GHL Bank from Harborough Limited. FNB and GHL merged, with FNB Ghana being the surviving entity. Involved the drafting and negotiation of the acquisition agreement and merger agreement alongside ad hoc legal advice.
Advising Remgro, listed on the JSE, and its subsidiaries on a share subscription and share exchange agreement concluded with eMedia, listed on the JSE, and the subsequent unbundling and distribution in specie by Remgro of the eMedia shares to Remgro's shareholders.
Advising MultiChoice Group on the mandatory offer by Groupe Canal+ to acquire all of the issued ordinary shares in MultiChoice not already owned by Canal+.
Advising Barloworld on all aspects of a c.USD1 billion cash offer from a consortium including the Barloworld CEO and Saudi Arabian-based Zahid Group to acquire all of the issued shares in Barloworld (save for certain excluded shares), by way of scheme of arrangement or standby general offer, and delist Barloworld from the JSE.
Advising Haier Smart Home, based in Qingdao, China, on the acquisition of Electrolux Group’s complete equity interests in its subsidiary Electrolux South Africa for ZAR2.45 billion.
Advising the Curator of Ubank Limited on the disposal of the Ubank business to African Bank Limited.
Advising Barloworld Limited, a leading global industrial company headquartered in South Africa, in a competitive bidding process to acquire the Tongaat Hulett Starch business of Tongaat Hulett Limited for an enterprise value of ZAR5,350 billion.
Advising FirstRand Limited on the ZAR4.5 billion repurchase of its “B” variable rate non-cumulative, non-redeemable preference shares.
Advising a Mauritian solar energy company on the merger of its investments in five African countries with those of another Mauritian solar energy company through the establishment of, and transfer of their respective businesses to, a newly incorporated Mauritian company.

Languages

Awards and recognition

Chambers Global (2021–2026) ranks Johannes in Band 1 in Corporate/M&A, South Africa. A client notes that “Johannes is particularly renowned for his experience leading complex cross-border M&A deals.”
Legal 500 (2022–2025) ranks Johannes as a Leading Partner in Commercial, Corporate and M&A.
Thomson Reuters recognises Johannes in its Stand-out Lawyers 2025 edition.
Best Lawyers (2011–2026) recommends Johannes for Corporate law and Mergers and Acquisitions law.

Education

University of Pretoria, LLB, 1992

University of Pretoria, BLC, 1990

Seminars