In a field traditionally dominated by men, especially at senior levels, Zethu Ntanzi stands out as a powerful example of resilience, legal excellence, and quiet leadership.

With close to a decade of post-admission legal experience, Zethu is currently a Senior Associate at leading law firm, Cox Yeats, in Johannesburg, specialising in Business Restructuring, Rescue and Insolvency.

Zethu’s story offers the perfect lens through which to explore women breaking barriers in the legal and corporate world, particularly within highly technical and sensitive areas such as insolvency and business rescue—areas directly linked to the health of our economy and the survival of businesses.

Her work spans complex corporate failures, large-scale liquidation matters, and advisory work in labour, compliance, and insurance risk—with a strong focus on helping companies navigate distress while ensuring statutory compliance.

What makes Zethu’s voice unique?

• Technical excellence: She has played key roles in major liquidation and business rescue matters involving large manufacturers, tourism operations, and financial entities.
• High-profile cases: She supported the state’s asset management firm in the liquidation enquiry proceedings of a prominent investment group and was instrumental in the enquiry into a medical aid scheme.
• Cross-border impact: Zethu is involved in an ongoing case involving the recognition of a foreign-appointed insolvency practitioner in South Africa, contributing to international jurisprudence in cross-border insolvency.
• Insolvency leadership: Zethu is a registered member of the South African Restructuring and Insolvency Practitioners Association (SARIPA) and holds a business rescue certification from the University of Johannesburg. She was a panellist in the SARIPA Insolvency Practice Summit held in February 2025.
• Career journey: From doing her articles in Pietermaritzburg, to corporate advisory work in the logistics sector, Zethu’s journey reflects a broad and grounded understanding of the South African legal and business landscape.

Her legal credentials include an LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand and admission as an attorney of the High Court in 2015.