Rutendo Hlatshwayo

Chief Legal Officer at Ozow, digital payments company

Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Rutendo had a particular interest in critical analysis, creative reasoning and corporate governance, which resulted in her enrolment at the law faculty of the University of Cape Town (UCT). Subsequent to receiving her Bachelor of Laws Degree, Rutendo was awarded the annual Master of Laws Degree scholarship by UCT and Cornell Law School in New York.

Having focused on business law and antitrust law during her Masters program, Rutendo was afforded the opportunity to intern at the International office of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington D.C. which expanded her understanding of consumer protection, competition law and critical reasoning in the legal arena.

In 2010, Rutendo moved back to South Africa and began her employment at one of Africa’s largest law firms, Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs Inc. After 6 years in legal practice, and aspiring to new challenges in a fast-growing, booming payments industry, Rutendo joined Ozow as Head of Legal. Rutendo currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer of Ozow.