Brand South Africa has announced the appointment of Thulisile Manzini as the new Acting Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect.
Manzini is tasked with marketing a positive brand image for South Africa domestically and internationally.
Her appointment comes amidst a number of organisational challenges, amongst which is the suspension of Kingsley Makhubela as CEO, who is currently being pursued through a disciplinary process.
In a statement issued by Brand SA, Chairperson of the Brand South Africa board, Khanyisile Kweyama, said Manzini’s experience in transforming organisations and implementing turnaround strategies will take the organisation forward.
“Her experience has more than prepared her to fulfil this role with excellence. We are confident that she will propel the many strategic initiatives that Brand South Africa undertakes to inspire and unify our stakeholders, partners and employees, and to continue the work of building the reputation of South Africa, so as to contribute to its global competitiveness,” Kweyama said.
Prior to her appointment at Brand South Africa, Manzini was the Deputy Director-General for Governance and Administration at the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services (DTPS), a position she has held since January 2016.
Manzini has served on a number of committees within the DTPS, which includes being the chairperson of the Macro Structural Reconfiguration team, chairperson of the Operations Committee and the Employment Equity Committee.
She also represented the DTPS at the Governance and Administration Cluster.
Her other senior and executive management roles include Acting as Director General, Chief Operations Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief Director of Corporate Services at the Department of Public Service and Administration and Head of Corporate Services at the Municipal Infrastructure Support Agency (MISA).
Reacting to her appointment, Manzini committed to not changing the mandate of the organisation.
“We want to get South Africans excited again about our national brand. Increased levels of pride and patriotism amongst South Africans are of utmost importance. I am humbled to be a part of the vision, to be a national brand that inspires its people and is admired globally,” said Manzini.
Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams welcomed Manzini’s appointment, adding that she has the full support of the Ministry and Brand South Africa’s Board of Trustees to deliver on the organisation’s mandate. - SAnews.gov.za
