Georgina Antoineta Sylvester
Pretoria
Summary
Experienced Executive Assistant with 19 years in the public sector, focused on efficient calendar management and high-level meeting facilitation. Skilled in confidential information handling and building relationships with government officials and business leaders. Known for proactive approach to problem-solving and delivering comprehensive executive support.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Secretary
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Health, Public Enterprises and Transport
01.2018 - 02.2025
- Managed executive calendar with precise updates and prioritisation, eliminating scheduling conflicts and boosting productivity.
- Organised and facilitated internal and external meetings, preparing agendas, meeting packs, and briefing notes, taking minutes, and following up on actions, maintaining strict confidentiality.
- Coordinated high-level events and conferences, overseeing venue selection, attendee logistics, and on-site execution, delivering flawless outcomes and positive stakeholder feedback.
- Arranged domestic and international travel for the executive and staff, securing flights, accommodation, transport, visas, and itineraries with cost-effective precision, delivering significant travel savings.
- Acted as primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, screening and prioritising calls, emails, and correspondence with discretion, improving response times and enhancing communication flow.
- Established and maintained robust electronic and paper-based filing systems, ensuring easy access, data protection compliance, and accurate record-keeping, significantly reducing document retrieval time.
- Oversaw day-to-day office administration, including stationery, consumables, catering, and maintenance, streamlining operations and reducing waste.
- Liaised with government departments, Deputy Ministers, Directors-General, Premiers, Members of Executive Councils, municipalities, business leaders, and international clients, fostering strong relationships and strengthening stakeholder trust.
- Handled ad hoc tasks and managed small projects, delivering timely, high-quality outcomes and supporting executive priorities.
Assistant Private Secretary
Minister of Public Enterprises, Communications, and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
01.2007 - 12.2017
- Managed executive meeting logistics, scheduling, and documentation, prioritising requests from Chairpersons, Chief Executive Officers, and key stakeholders, while ensuring security and parking arrangements.
- Coordinated and confirmed the executive’s daily schedule, dispatching written confirmations and organising meeting materials for seamless operations.
- Handled incoming calls, inquiries, and critical correspondence, escalated urgent items to the Private Secretary and Chief of Staff, and summarised documents for executive review.
- Channelled executive comments on submissions to relevant branches, ensured timely delivery of briefing files, and managed follow-ups on departmental correspondence with Deputy Directors-General and state-owned entities.
- Facilitated internal and external communication, maintained the Ministry’s follow-up system, and submitted monthly correspondence, action lists, and reports to the Chief of Staff.
- Coordinated domestic and international travel, arranging flights, accommodation, itineraries, Very Important Person lounge access, travel documentation, and secured South African Police Service authorisations for protectors.
- Managed petty cash reconciliation, processed Subsistence and Travel claims, and maintained the gift register, assessed values, and reported monthly to the Private Secretary.
- Implemented efficient office procedures and maintained confidential records, contributing to streamlined operations and enhanced executive productivity.
Registry Clerk
Department of Public Enterprises
03.2005 - 12.2006
- Organised goods and documents for dispatch via courier, assigning file reference numbers and ensuring accurate classification and placement, in line with National Archives and Records Management prescripts.
- Managed registry entry for all documents, handling registry responsibilities in the Head’s absence and updating indexing and file plan for National Archives approval.
- Enhanced indexing system to meet National Archives standards, performing comprehensive surveys of records and document management, improving retrieval efficiency.
- Conducted weekly shelf reading for accurate organisation and executed efficient scanning of invoices and documents, supporting digitisation and secure storage.
- Prepared documents for binding, recorded and tracked outgoing files, invoices, gifts, and managed franking machine operations, maintaining accurate logs.
- Drafted requests for office supplies and travel plans, supporting operational needs and ensuring smooth office administration.
- Dispatched departmental goods and documents via courier to multiple locations, analysing methods for implementing Records Management Policy and ensuring timely, secure delivery.
- Provided registry counter services, handled incoming and outgoing correspondence, and maintained effective filing and record management systems for easy access and confidentiality.
Education
National Diploma - Public Administration (NQF7)
Regenesys Business School
Pretoria01.2024
Diploma - Public Administration and Management (NQF6)
UNISA
Pretoria01.2023
Certificate - Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre- entry Programme
School of Governance
Pretoria01.2023
Certificate - Public Administration and Management
UNISA
Pretoria01.2022
Certificate - Receptionist and Personal Assistant
Damelin College
Pretoria01.2009
Certificate - Matric/Grade 12
Asheville Secondary School
Pretoria01.2001
Skills
- Calendar and schedule management
- Meeting coordination and minute-taking
- Travel logistics and cost control
- Stakeholder liaison (government, executive, external)
- Confidentiality and data protection compliance
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
References
Available on request.
Languages
- English
- Afrikaans
Personal Information
- Citizenship: South African
- Date of Birth: 06/16/1983
Timeline
Private Secretary
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Health, Public Enterprises and Transport
01.2018 - 02.2025
Assistant Private Secretary
Minister of Public Enterprises, Communications, and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
01.2007 - 12.2017
Registry Clerk
Department of Public Enterprises
03.2005 - 12.2006
National Diploma - Public Administration (NQF7)
Regenesys Business School
Diploma - Public Administration and Management (NQF6)
UNISA
Certificate - Nyukela Public Service SMS Pre- entry Programme
School of Governance
Certificate - Public Administration and Management
UNISA
Certificate - Receptionist and Personal Assistant
Damelin College
Certificate - Matric/Grade 12
Asheville Secondary School