Z. (Zinhle) Novazi

Ms. Zinhle Novazi is an admitted attorney (South Africa), a Law and Technology and International Trade Finance Lecturer at Stellenbosch University. Zinhle is a PHD candidate in the Faculty of Law at the University of Groningen and a member of the Security, Technology & e-Privacy Research Group (STeP) . Her research focuses on the regulation of automated decision-making in financial services, examining intersections between data protection, AI and consumer protection.

Zinhle's professional journey is a testament to her multifaceted expertise. A qualified attorney with a keen entrepreneurial mindset, she has honed her skills across various domains. Her experience as a Tax and Fiduciary Specialist at Investec Bank, where she navigated the complexities of tax, demonstrates her proficiency in tax and fiduciary related matters. Prior to this, she completed her articles of clerkship at Tabacks, gaining invaluable insights into tax law, data privacy and general corporate commercial practices.Before entering the legal arena, Zinhle contributed her talents to S-RM, a global intelligence and cybersecurity consulting firm.

Zinhle's academic journey is marked by a pursuit of knowledge at esteemed institutions. As a Chevening Alumni, she deepened her expertise in tax and technology, culminating in a master’s degree in technology, media, and telecoms from Queen Mary University of London, in the United Kingdom. Her involvement in the Microsoft Cloud Legal Project during this time demonstrated a forward-thinking approach, exploring the tax implications of cutting-edge cloud technology. Subsequently, she earned a master’s in taxation law from the University of Witwatersrand, complementing her existing legal acumen. Her academic accolades also include a postgraduate LLB and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from the University of Cape Town.

Zinhle is a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship and business empowerment. As Director of both Novazi Investment Holdings and the Heavy Chef Foundation NPC, she channels her passion for advancing legal strategy and uplifting entrepreneurs in disconnected communities, spearheading initiatives that drive meaningful change. Her dedication to this cause earned her the prestigious 2023 Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans Award in the Entrepreneurship category.