Advertorial
MAIN IMAGE: Nolene van de Coolwijk – legal head: personal and private banking secured lending at Nedbank
In South Africa’s dynamic property landscape, property practitioners are often seen as the face of the transaction – the ones who match people to homes and investment to land. Behind every one of these successful deals lies an intricate legal and financial framework, and that’s where I step in as a legal adviser at Nedbank.
At Nedbank, I support the home loans portfolio, managing legal risks. My day-to-day involves vetting contracts; ensuring compliance with the National Credit Act, 34 of 2005, and other legislation; drafting and reviewing bond terms; addressing conveyancing queries; and advising internal stakeholders on the structure and enforceability of deals.
Property practitioners might not interact directly with in-house legal teams, but our work is closely aligned. A well-structured deal benefits all parties, and we’re constantly refining our processes to ensure speed, clarity, and security. Whether it’s resolving title deed anomalies, unpacking 99-year leasehold queries, or ensuring that third-party consents are properly documented, the aim is always to create a seamless experience from sale to registration.
Looking ahead, I would like to work more closely with property practitioners to enhance awareness of the legal underpinnings of property finance. By collaborating earlier in the transaction lifecycle, we can prevent unnecessary delays and improve turnaround times – ultimately getting clients into their homes faster.
Together, we can help modernise and derisk the South African property finance ecosystem, 1 transaction at a time.
Outside of work, I’m a proud wife and mother to a spirited young daughter. I enjoy watching tennis, keeping up with emerging technologies like blockchain and AI, and exploring how innovation can enhance both the legal and property sectors.
