Evan Smith
Tsitsikamma
Summary
Results-oriented Project Manager with expertise in financial strategy and significant experience in heritage, cultural, and community development. Managed budgets exceeding R500 million while ensuring cost control and transparent reporting. Specialises in project lifecycle management, stakeholder engagement, and risk assessment, delivering impactful outcomes in job creation, SME support, and biodiversity enhancement through innovative community-driven models.
Overview
2
2
Languages
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Community & Social Impact Leader (Independent & NG
Pensioner
Tsitsikamma
01.2018 - Current
- Designed cooperative-driven inclusive business models that create jobs and support women and youth.
- Created policy-aligned business cases that support South Africa’s national development plan and EPWP expansion.
- Initiated integrated livelihood solutions through agriculture-livestock systems, backyard poultry, beehives, manufacturing, and composting.
- Established long-term networks of support among local government, communal land associations, and private donors.
- Guided rural development community upliftment initiatives, ensuring alignment with national priorities.
National Business Manager
Media24 - Naspers
Cape Town
05.2010 - 12.2017
- Managed stakeholders across divisions to keep plans aligned and progressing.
- Coordinated cross-divisional communication between divisions for consistent decision-making.
- Mentored teams to lead autonomous regional operations aligned to national objectives.
- Restructured regional operations to enhance access for lower-income and rural audiences.
- Met bbbee and employment equity rules while redesigning regional service models.
- Developed provincial talent pipelines and facilitated ongoing on-the-job development.
- Advanced measurable employment strategies for youth and women in media production.
- Created employment opportunities through media production and distribution transformation initiatives.
National Sales Director
Maskew Miller Longman (Education Sector)
Cape Town
05.2009 - 12.2009
- Partnered with DBE officials, provincial governments, and NGOs to expand access.
- Collaborated on curriculum delivery plans with education stakeholders, increasing learner access and educational impact.
- Coordinated training sessions that elevated teaching capacity among educator groups, fostering improved learning outcomes.
- Transformed textbook distribution into national educator training programme, enhancing educator engagement through standard modules.
Advertising Manager — Die Burger
Media24- Naspers
Cape Town
11.2007 - 04.2009
- Streamlined processes to reduce operational costs by 21% through headcount optimisation.
- Managed daily workflows to ensure operational efficiency, reducing waste and overlap.
- Led cross-functional teams to improve collaboration and drive project success.
- Adjusted staffing plans to sustain output while minimising total spend.
Group Advertising Manager — Media24 WP Newspapers
Media24- Naspers
Cape Town
05.2002 - 12.2007
- Launched 14 new publications, monitoring performance through weekly reporting cycles to ensure alignment with business objectives.
- Achieved 16% profitability increase within 18 months through strategic cost adjustments and performance tracking.
- Repositioned and expanded product portfolio, implementing step-by-step rollout plans to enhance market relevance.
National Sales Manager
Simmons Pty (Ltd)
Johannesburg
06.2001 - 12.2001
- Increased market share by 11% within 6 months through positioning changes.
- Executed brand repositioning activities with research and messaging updates, driving market relevance and supporting growth.
- Coordinated distribution and managed exception shipments, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.
- Streamlined southern Africa distribution routes, significantly reducing delivery delays and enhancing service reliability.
Marketing & Sales Manager
Coca-Cola (Peninsula Beverages)
Cape Town
02.1996 - 02.2001
- Coordinated campaign planning by tailoring outreach activities to address customer needs effectively.
- Led community campaigns integrating social responsibility with marketing strategy to enhance engagement.
- Developed youth entrepreneurship initiatives aligning community objectives with commercial goals to foster collaboration.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Strategy
University of Cape Town: Business School
Cape Town, WC05-2017
Higher National Diploma - Media Management
USB
Stellenbosch, WC01-2004
NVQ Level 3 - • Management Development
USB
Stellenbosch01-1999
NVQ Level 5 - Train The Trainers
University of Jhb
Johannesburg, GP01-1999
Bachelor of Science - Education
UWC
Bellville, WC01-1989
Skills
- Project oversight
- Strategic leadership
- Entrepreneurial innovation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Community development
- Policy alignment
- Effective communication
- Facilitation and coaching
Custom
End-to-end project lifecycle management, Stakeholder engagement, Risk assessment, Performance monitoring, Advanced expertise in budget planning, Cost control, Financial forecasting, ROI analysis, Aligning financial strategies with organizational goals to maximize profitability and efficiency, Proven ability to design and execute long-term strategies, Optimize resource allocation, Ensure operational excellence, Strong track record of motivating teams, Building collaborative cultures, Guiding professionals toward achieving shared objectives, Skilled in conflict resolution and performance coaching, Adept at identifying growth opportunities, Launching new initiatives, Implementing creative solutions that drive competitive advantage, Clear reporting, Persuasive presentations, Stakeholder alignment across diverse audiences
Languages
Afrikaans
Proficient
C2
English
Proficient
C2
Interests
- Woodworking
- Gardening
- Beekeeping
Accomplishments
- Launch new products successfully
- Increased Profitability
- Exceed turnover targets regularly
- Cost reduction
- Manager of the Year - a few times
- Streamlined workflow by consolidating lengthy processes and redundant documentation that resulted in more effective and timely completion of
Timeline
Community & Social Impact Leader (Independent & NG
Pensioner
01.2018 - Current
National Business Manager
Media24 - Naspers
05.2010 - 12.2017
National Sales Director
Maskew Miller Longman (Education Sector)
05.2009 - 12.2009
Advertising Manager — Die Burger
Media24- Naspers
11.2007 - 04.2009
Group Advertising Manager — Media24 WP Newspapers
Media24- Naspers
05.2002 - 12.2007
National Sales Manager
Simmons Pty (Ltd)
06.2001 - 12.2001
Marketing & Sales Manager
Coca-Cola (Peninsula Beverages)
02.1996 - 02.2001
Master of Business Administration - Strategy
University of Cape Town: Business School
Higher National Diploma - Media Management
USB
NVQ Level 3 - • Management Development
USB
NVQ Level 5 - Train The Trainers
University of Jhb
Bachelor of Science - Education
UWC