Cindy Jonas

I am an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and an experienced Contracts Manager with Master of Laws qualification in Corporate Governance and International Trade Law and final year of second Masters in Energy Leadership at Wits Business School. I have over 18 years of experience in the legal field and possess litigation management experience, legal advisory, and corporate governance across public and private sector environments. Proven expertise in managing complex commercial contracting and end-to-end contract lifecycle, including drafting pleadings, briefing counsel, handling internal alternative dispute resolution processes, and negotiating high-value settlements.

Currently leading contracts, dispute resolution, and governance functions at Sasol Oil, with a strong track record in mitigating legal risk, aligning legal strategy with business objectives, and delivering cost-effective legal outcomes. Recognised for strategic leadership, stakeholder influence, and the ability to operate at the intersection of law, risk, and commercial performance.

I interface with various stakeholders ie: Franchisees, Landlords, Retail Account Managers, Franchise Business Managers, Credit Control, Governance, Legal colleagues, Compliance, Risk Management etc and this has enabled me to foster good collaboration and team work. I have experience in supervising subordinates and conducting performance management. I am responsible for providing legal contracts management training to the Retail Accounts Managers and Business Franchise Managers.

I am further involved in the recruitment and selection of franchisees in the retail business. I provide convenience retail and brand and market department with advisory and contractual support in drafting trading agreements and advising on consumer protection law, data privacy law and related matters. With a leadership style defined by integrity, collaboration, and results orientation, I am passionate about aligning legal and governance strategies with organisational performance and sustainability.

I am highly adaptable with knack for problem solving and decision making. My legal background, strong legal contracts drafting skills, management experience and understanding of business processes for better negotiation and implementation of contract strategies is what I possess and the value I can add.

Retail / Commercial Contracts Manager, Advisory & Reporting at SASOL OIL (PTY) LTD (2021-06 – Present)

• Manage litigation and dispute matters arising from franchise agreements, including strategy development and execution
• Conduct Review of legal agreements for business implementation
• Draft and review pleadings, affidavits, settlement agreements, and legal opinions
• Represent the organisation in arbitration proceedings (sole witness in successful outcome)
• Brief and manage external attorneys and counsel, including preparation of litigation packs
• Provide legal risk assessments and mitigation strategies to business stakeholders
• Oversee legal compliance frameworks (ABAC, governance reporting, regulatory engagement)
• Lead contract lifecycle management across high-value commercial agreements
• Develop and implement governance processes, policies, and reporting frameworks
• Train internal stakeholders on legal compliance and contract execution
• Negotiate, draft and manage various legal Agreements such as Franchise Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, MoU's, MOA's, Supply Agreement, Trading Agreements, Addendums etc
• Drafting contract templates for use by business adhering to legislative framework
• Manage team performance and development formally and informally based on standard practices in use across Sasol Group
• Compile Reports for status update
• Statutory Governance Reporting for the business
• Attend to auditors during audit period and prepare management responses
• Support rollout of various project initiatives
• Successfully represented Sasol (as the only witness) in arbitration proceedings with a favourable outcome
• Led legal strategy on high-impact commercial disputes and settlement negotiations
• Designed and implemented contract expiry monitoring systems (SharePoint-based)
• Legal lead on strategic projects including Stock on Consignment, Solar PV rollout and commercial transformation initiatives
• Developed governance SOPs improving compliance and audit outcomes

Retail Contract Management Specialist at SASOL OIL (PTY) LTD (2017-01 – 2021-05)

• Manage contract governance, dispute resolution, and compliance across national retail portfolio
• Drafting and negotiating commercial agreements and managed contract risk exposure
• Provide legal advisory on breach, enforcement, and dispute management
• Develop contract management frameworks and termination strategies
• Provide legal remedies on breach of Agreements to ensure legal compliance
• Draft relevant legal correspondence to stakeholders such as Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on licences to trade and Franchisees
• Participate in internal forums including risk management in the CRMP
• Consultation with internal and external stakeholders on litigation affecting contracts
• Input into the business strategy to drive compliance and governance
• Engage Regulators on retail licence related issues
• Designed and implemented contract management process flow and termination framework
• SharePoint automation for contract expiry notification

Manager: Contract Management at Department of Local Government & Traditional Affairs (Province of the Eastern Cape) (2012-07 – 2016-12)

• Oversaw legal compliance in procurement and tender processes
• Chaired Bid Specification Committee and supported adjudication processes
• Managed contract disputes, legal risks, and compliance reporting
• Drafted and vetted complex agreements (SLA, infrastructure, cession, MoUs)
• Led contract monitoring, performance tracking, and financial oversight
• Performance Management of staff
• Manage legal risks emanating from contracts through legal risk register
• Handle disputes between the Department and the Service Providers
• Input in the Department's annual report
• Collaboration with Departmental Programmes to support Municipal interventions in terms of section 139 of the Constitution
• Secured four consecutive clean audits through robust contract governance and compliance
• Developed and implemented a Departmental Contract Risk Register
• Led policy review and alignment with National Treasury regulations
• Supported municipal intervention teams and served on provincial task teams for governance oversight

Legal Advisor: Contract Management and Legal Compliance at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (2009-03 – 2012-06)

• Providing effective legal support to the Municipality
• Providing legal advice on Council reports and provide verbal and written legal opinions to internal Clients on Local Government Legislation, and legal advisory work
• Attending consultations on legal issues with directorates within the Municipality and external Institutions
• Drafting and/or editing legal correspondence
• Monitor compliance in line with legislative framework affecting the Municipality
• Draft contracts (leases, SLA's, MoU's, MoA's etc) and ensure regualatory compliance
• Analyse supplier database for briefing patterns with Director: Legal
• drafting reports, conducting research and general office administration
• Co-developed litigation strategy improving case management efficiency
• Enhanced contract monitoring and compliance reporting frameworks

State Legal Advisor at Department of the Premier: Western Cape (2007-05 – 2009-02)

• Advising and drafting written legal opinions for Heads of Department and/or other officials and public entities on legal issues
• Attending consultations on legal issues with Heads of Department and /or other officials
• Drafting and/or editing legal correspondence

LLB – Nelson Mandela University

LL.M in Corporate Governance and International Trade Law – University of the Western Cape

MMEL in Energy Leadership – Wits Business School