Business Director, Independent Agency Search & Selection Company (IAS)

Nikki Munsie

Nikki Munsie is currently the Business Director at the Independent Agency Search and Selection Company (IAS) which specialises in helping clients and marketing services agencies establish, build and get the maximum value from their business relationships.

Nikki Munsie is currently the Business Director at the Independent Agency Search and Selection Company (IAS) which specialises in helping clients and marketing services agencies establish, build and get the maximum value from their business relationships. Nikki works alongside marketing teams advising on agency selection, relationship management, commercial evaluation and benchmarking. She also works with agencies, assisting them with their positioning and credentials.

Nikki has more than 30 years’ experience – not just in the advertising field where she worked for agencies such as Grey, Bates, SBBW, but also in marketing and strategic consulting, where she was involved in the development of business and brand strategies with strong emphasis on cross functional action learning for Clients.

Journalist

Peter Mann

Peter Mann is a journalist who turned PR person 28 years ago. After graduating in 1971 he worked on the Rand Daily Mail, the Natal Mercury, the Sunday Tribune and The Star.

Peter Mann is a journalist who turned PR person 28 years ago. After graduating in 1971 he worked on the Rand Daily Mail, the Natal Mercury, the Sunday Tribune and The Star. He covered Parliament, was Political Editor of Argus Newspapers, London; and News Editor, Senior Assistant Editor and Night Editor of The Star. He taught journalism for two years.

In 1989 he formed Sussens Mann, now Meropa Communications — taking it to a consultancy with 100 staff in four cities.

In 2016 he won a PRISA Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of the Panel of Adjudicators of the SA Press Council.

Rene Vosloo

Rene Vosloo heads up the team that handles corporate communication and integrated reputation management for Discovery, a leading financial services organisation.

Rene Vosloo heads up the team that handles corporate communication and integrated reputation management for Discovery, a leading financial services organisation. Since joining Discovery in 2000, Rene has immersed herself in the communication activities to a wide range of stakeholders across a number of the Discovery brands. Prior to Discovery, Rene was an accounts executive at Cordev Marketing for eight years representing the public relations needs of a wide range of financial services and leisure clients. She has majored in Industrial Psychology and Politics at Rhodes University and is a registered Chartered Marketer.

Ruth Kolevsohn

Ruth has over 26 years’ experience in both the corporate and consultancy environments within the consumer brand, financial services, technology, energy, media, metals and mining, oil and gas, and aviation and transport sectors.

Ruth has over 26 years’ experience in both the corporate and consultancy environments within the consumer brand, financial services, technology, energy, media, metals and mining, oil and gas, and aviation and transport sectors. She has specialist experience in strategy development and management, issues and crisis preparedness, investor, media and stakeholder relations as well as technical and digital writing. As a member of the main board of Burson-Marsteller Holdings and Chief Operating Officer, Ruth oversees the day-to-day operations of Burson-Marsteller Africa’s hub office, which includes a consulting and new business role. Focused on client growth, resource management and providing strategic advice to clients in corporate communications and issue management, she leads the client service team across our portfolio of retainer and project clients.
Head of the School of Communication & Department of Strategic Communication, University of Johannesburg.

Sonja Verwey

Prof Sonja Verwey is the Head of the School of Communication as well as Head of the Department of Strategic Communication at the University of Johannesburg.

Prof Sonja Verwey is the Head of the School of Communication as well as Head of the Department of Strategic Communication at the University of Johannesburg. Prior to this she was Executive Director: Human Resources at the University of Johannesburg where her responsibilities included professionalising the Human Resources function and acting as key change navigator through the renewal and re-design of the University of Johannesburg.

She is past and present editor of Communicare, the Journal for Communication Sciences in Southern Africa, and serves on the editorial boards of several national and international journals. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Corporate Communication International. She is Past President of the Southern African Communication Association.

Acting Deputy Director-General, Government Communications & Information System (GCIS)

Tasneem Carrim

Tasneem has worked with two South African Presidents: Mandela and Mbeki in the formative years of our young democracy, responsible for media research and media engagement.

A seasoned and business-savvTasneem has worked with two South African Presidents: Mandela and Mbeki in the formative years of our young democracy, responsible for media research and media engagement. At SARS she developed a passion for behaviour change theory through the development of the SARS filing–season campaign and a taxpayer education strategy for SARS. Tasneem has expertise in strategic campaign development and crisis communication – having run the operations centre in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the funeral of Tata Madiba.

Tasneem is the acting Deputy Director-General at the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS), responsible for communication policy, research, media buying, media analysis and the digital, print and electronic products of the GCIS.y communication specialist, with more than 20 years’ experience in corporate communication, the management of reputation risk and stakeholder engagement, in large, multi-national companies. Over the last few years, Esme has specialised in advising executive teams on reputation risk and has led expert professional teams on major, confidential reputation risk issues. Her particular interest in mentoring communication professionals over many years has been both personally fulfilling and effective.

Managing Director, Glasshouse Communication Management

Nkhensani Moyane

Nkhensani Moyane is Managing Director of Glasshouse Communication Management and Non-Executive Director of Mazole Holdings

Nkhensani Moyane is Managing Director of Glasshouse Communication Management and Non-Executive Director of Mazole Holdings.

A far-sighted individual with excellent business development skills and hands-on knowledge of directing the activities of all projects, Nkhensani is experienced in supporting the company’s strategic alliances and participating in marketing strategies.

Having entered the work environment in her early teens before completing a Higher Diploma in Somatology, Nkhensani’s determined disposition has taken her from strength to strength. From taking on the role of blogger at L’Oreal to the role of Junior Client Service Manager at HMC Seswa and then Senior Client Service Manager at Glasshouse Communication Management; Moyane continues to play a strategic role in business development, managing the team and operations.

Manager of External & Internal Communications, Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE)

Pheliswa Mayekiso

Pheliswa Mayekiso is the Manager of External and Internal Communications at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). She has more than 10 years’ experiences in media and reputation management...

Pheliswa Mayekiso is the Manager of External and Internal Communications at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). She has more than 10 years’ experiences in media and reputation management, having worked on some leading local and global companies including McDonald’s South Africa, Comair, Old Mutual Investment Group (OMIGSA), Chevron and the Virgin Group.

Pheliswa’s role at the JSE is focused on formulating and driving the JSE’s external and internal communication strategies forward for the exchange.

Pheliswa’s career started in PR agencies where she worked at leading PR agencie, including Arcay Burson-Marsteller (now Burson-Marsteller South Africa) and Atmosphere Communications.

She holds a Communications degree from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and is currently completing a Leadership Programme at the Wits Business School.

Head of the Communication Management Division & Director of the Centre for Communication & Reputation Management, University of Pretoria.

Ronél Rensburg

She is a Fellow and past President of PRISA (the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa), a past board member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management (GA)...

Ronél Rensburg is Head of the Communication Management Division and Director of the Centre for Communication and Reputation Management at the University of Pretoria. She is a Fellow and past President of PRISA (the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa), a past board member of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management (GA), and a member of the International Communication Association (ICA).

She holds a B-rating from the National Research Foundation (NRF), the highest rated scholar in Communication Management Science in South Africa.

PR, Communication, Marketing & Public Affairs Leader

Shenanda Janse van Rensburg

Shenanda Janse van Rensburg is a smart, dynamic and driven public relations, communication, marketing & public affairs leader with over 17 years’ international experience.

Shenanda Janse van Rensburg is a smart, dynamic and driven public relations, communication, marketing & public affairs leader with over 17 years’ international experience. She possesses a successful history of protecting corporate reputations and leading communications for businesses through start-up, turnaround and growth phases as well as challenging economic cycles.

In her present role as the Group Executive: Marketing, Public Relations and Communications for Altron, she manages and protects the reputation of the group and its leaders in multiple countries and territories. She is also accountable for reputation management, investor relations, marketing, advertising, corporate communications and public relations.

Corné has been recognised for teaching excellence throughout her career and has researched and taught, among others, integrated marketing communication, marketing planning and implementation, strategic communication, public relations management and
practice, as well as corporate communication at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Corné engages with industry and has served on several committees through the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) and Services SETA.

Online Creative Director, Writer, Content Publisher & Editor

Sonya Culverwell

Sonya is an online Creative Director, Writer, Content Publisher and Editor with over 20 years’ experience in the Communications Universe

Sonya is an online Creative Director, Writer, Content Publisher and Editor with over 20 years’ experience in the Communications Universe, across a number of sectors and disciplines, having started her career in Advertising, Copywriting and Creative Direction.

She is the Creative Director & Writer of the Moneyweb.co.za Branded Video Content Hub and is also the Creative Strategist and Writer of plugdin Creative Consulting where she tackles Brand Marketing and Communication problems, and produces channel agnostic creative solutions.

In her role as Editor for adlip.com she wrote, edited, created and curated video, text and audio content covering trends in the Marketing, Advertising, Digital, Social Media, Mobile, Design and overall Communication sectors.

Managing Director, Clockwork Media

Tom Manners

After spending several years as a journalist within the technology and entertainment fields, Tom Manners recognised that in order for agencies to remain relevant within the ever-evolving communication industry, they needed to be more integrated.

After spending several years as a journalist within the technology and entertainment fields, Tom Manners recognised that in order for agencies to remain relevant within the ever-evolving communication industry, they needed to be more integrated. To this end, he founded Clockwork Media in February 2011 and soon began consulting to and creating content on behalf of organisations such as Nando’s, Nike, and Heineken.

Clockwork Media is one of South Africa’s fastest growing integrated content and communication agencies, with a team of over 80 people, comprising South Africa’s best content, digital and creative minds working on several global accounts. The company specialises in content research and strategy, editorial compilation, digital and social media, public relations, design, web development and videography.

Executive Director of Strategy, Vuma Reputation Management

Palesa Madumo

Palesa is a writer, communications professional and entreprenuer. She’s worked over ten years in Advertising and Communications for Brand South Africa in London and locally for agency and in the corporate space.

Palesa is a writer, communications professional and entreprenuer. She’s worked over ten years in Advertising and Communications for Brand South Africa in London and locally for agency and in the corporate space. These days, she runs her own pastry business called Cupcake Bar and has established a communications and strategy consultation – African Mavens. She writes for some of South Africa’s leading publications and has written a column in The Star newspaper. She is extremely passionate about South Africa and the continent, in particular, in relation to strategy, education, skills development, design, innovation and creativity.
Head of Corporate Communications & Branding, Anglo American SA

Pranill Ramchander

Pranill Ramchander is Head of Corporate Communications & Branding at Anglo American South Africa. Armed with a PhD, Pranill has extensive experience in strategic corporate communications, social development, research, publishing and academia.

Pranill Ramchander is Head of Corporate Communications & Branding at Anglo American South Africa. Armed with a PhD, Pranill has extensive experience in strategic corporate communications, social development, research, publishing and academia. Pranill is a spokesperson for Anglo American South Africa and is responsible for driving the development and implementation of strategic integrated marketing communications, advertising, branding, sponsorships, media relations, CSI, brand reputation management and crises management in line with the Anglo American Group Company Strategy in South Africa. He also serves as a Trustee on the board of the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund and participates on several executive committees.

Roslyn Jones

Having worked as a full-time member of the corporate communication teams of two blue chip companies, as well as a communication consultant

Having worked as a full-time member of the corporate communication teams of two blue chip companies, as well as a communication consultant, Roslyn Jones knows that the basic tenants of successful communication remain constant no matter which industry you operate in, that is, stakeholders want to know what is going on in a company, how it affects them, why they should be interested and what they need to do about it. It’s not negotiable that all communication efforts need to be purposeful, with measurable outcomes that work to engage stakeholders and align their behaviour to the company’s strategic goals.
Broadcaster, CliffCentral.com

Siya Sangweni

Siya Sangweni is a charismatic and vibrant broadcaster, most popularly known for his work on CliffCentral.com.

Siya Sangweni is a charismatic and vibrant broadcaster, most popularly known for his work on CliffCentral.com. With media personality Gareth Cliff’s move to “unradio” from 5FM and the launch of CliffCentral.com in May 2014, the 22-year-old has worked up to not only being the brand manager of the online radio station but also as an on-air contributor on “The Gareth Cliff Show”. As 2013’s “Best Speaker in KZN”, Siya has also taken to the stage as a MC for the likes of Standard Bank’s Rising Star Awards to HDI Youth events, and as a public speaker for youth-focused social initiatives.
Award Winning Entrepreneur & Marketer Extraordinaire

Sylvester Chauke

Sylvester Chauke is an award winning entrepreneur and Madonna crazy marketer extraordinaire. He rose to fame for his irreverent marketing while at Nando’s as National Marketing Manager.

Sylvester Chauke is an award winning entrepreneur and Madonna crazy marketer extraordinaire. He rose to fame for his irreverent marketing while at Nando’s as National Marketing Manager. He later joined MTV Networks Africa as Director of Marketing & Communication. He thereafter started DNA Brand Architects, an award winning marketing consultancy outfit, championing work for some of the most loved brands on the continent.

Amongst other accolades, Sylvester celebrates being GQ’s Most Influential Young Man of 2012, Men’s Health Top 20 Young Men of 2014, SA Premier Business Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2015, BBQ Young Business Achiever of the Year 2015, and the Oliver Top Empowered Young Achiever of the Year 2016.

Sylvester sits on the board of the SA State Theatre, Council Member for Africa month with the Department of Arts and Culture and a Global Shaper Alumnus. He lectures and speaks at numerous platforms cascading a Stand Against Bland approach to Marketing!

Group Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations Manager, Adcock Ingram Healthcare

Vicki St Quintin

Vicki is Group Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Manager at Adcock Ingram Healthcare (since April 2013), a leading South African pharmaceutical company.

Vicki is Group Corporate Affairs and Investor Relations Manager at Adcock Ingram Healthcare (since April 2013), a leading South African pharmaceutical company. Her role includes internal and external communication and investor liaison.

Vicki was COO of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association of South Africa for nine years, specialising in governance, communication, policy and intellectual property, government relations and industry reputation management.

A long career history in the pharmaceutical industry, working for multinational and local companies, included roles in marketing, business development, corporate affairs and government relations. Her experience with GlaxoSmithKline included an international assignment and gave her extensive experience in reputation management, especially in the area of access to medicines.

Vicki holds a BCom (Hons) degree.