Africa's largest law firm, ENSafrica has appointed Mzi Mgudlwa as its new Chief Executive, effective March 1, 2016.

Mgudlwa has been the firm’s Deputy CEO since 2006 under Piet Faber, who has served at the helm of the firm for over 25 years.

Faber said he is leaving the firm due to health reasons.

“I am proud of Mzi, whom I have worked with since 1994 and who has served as my deputy since 2006. I could not think of a better choice of CEO and I have full confidence that ENSafrica will continue to go from strength to strength under his leadership as he continues to build on the legacy of the firm we have created together and to drive the progress of our vision to be the African law firm of choice,” he said.

The firm and its clients will continue to benefit from Faber’s considerable knowledge and experience as he will continue to serve the firm, albeit in a different capacity.

Mgudlwa has a solid background of 20 years of legal practice behind him.

Mgudlwa’s experience includes matters relating to labour, commercial law, mergers and acquisitions.

A significant amount of his time is spent on driving the growth of the firm, from a client and recruitment point of view.

Mgudlwa said: “I am truly privileged to have been appointed to this position and I am committed to continuing to build a unified firm, which delivers excellent business solutions for our clients across the African continent.”

ENSafrica chairman Michael Katz, commented: “Piet has served the firm with distinction and has been instrumental in the firm’s success and its unprecedented expansion over the last decade, from the merger between Sonnenberg Hoffmann Galombik and Edward Nathan in 2006 to, in recent years, establishing a strong on-the-ground presence in seven countries across the continent."

"We are delighted with Mzi’s appointment, which we believe will carry forward the firm’s vision to be the African law firm of choice, its commitment to excellence and its innovative, world-class and solution-driven approach to our clients’ matters,” he added.