Canvas
Ignatius Tshepo Mahwai
Communications Officer
1142 Zone 2, Home 2000-DJ Rampola Street Mahwelereng
Summary
Seasoned communications officer and public relations expert with over 10 years of experience in public sector, complemented by extensive leadership and project management within civil society environment.
career in government has equipped with strong competencies in:
●Event Planning and Management
●Stakeholder Engagement
●Media Relations
●Newsletter and Promotional Material Production
●Social Media Management
Recognized by Limpopo Department of Health with certificate of competency for producing their first iofficial newsletter, showcasing commitment to structured, high-quality institutional communication.
Experienced professional in the non-governmental sector with a focus on community outreach and awareness programs. Proven skills in community mobilization, crisis communication, and conflict resolution. Strong background in project coordination, leadership development, and volunteer management, driving impactful initiatives and fostering community engagement.
Over past decade, significant contributions to programs resulted in provincial recognition, culminating in accolades as best project award winner in Limpopo province.
Professional experience spans government and civil society, offering a unique hybrid perspective that merges policy-driven communication with grassroots engagement.
Proven ability to develop and implement impactful communication strategies.
Committed to fostering collaboration with professionals and leaders to enhance outreach and effectiveness.
Work History
Senior Communications Officer
Limpopo Pioneers of Service Users (LIMPSU) Restoration Organisation
08.2015 - Current
- Stakeholders Engagement.
- Media Relations.
- Events Management.
- Research, collect and write article for publication.
- Marketing and promoting the corporate image of the organisation.
- Social media content Management.
- Taking photos and videos clippings during the events.
- Layout, design and edit newsletters and promotional materials for the organisation.
- Planning, developing and implementing communication strategy for the organisation.
Communications Specialist
Gauteng Legislature
10.2007 - 07.2015
- Research, collect and write articles for publication.
- Co-ordinate the events and arranging photo sessions.
- Handle media enquiries.
- Planning, develop and implement communication strategy.
- Build and maintain rapport between stakeholders and the legislature.
- Marketing and promoting the legislature's activities.
Public Relations Assistant
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
07.2005 - 08.2007
- Assisting with events management.
- Design promotional materials to enhance the image of the municipality.
- Write articles to support municipal quarterly newsletter.
- Assist in handling media enquires and writing media releases.
- Liaise with various media houses to build and maintain rapport.
- Responsible for municipal photo library and press clippings pertaining to the internal stakeholders.
Community Liaison Officer (Learnership)
Limpopo Department of Health, Voortrekker District Hospital
07.2004 - 06.2005
- Assisting in stakeholders engagement.
- Coordinate and organising outreach programmes and community awareness campaigns.
- Assisting with communication activities including management of projects, meetings and events.
- Layout, design, write and edit articles for in-house newsletter.
- Assist with administrative activities of units including compilation of incidents reports, monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
Public Relations Trainee (In-service training)
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
07.1999 - 06.2000
- Trained on hoe to handle media enquiries.
- Assist with events management.
- Assist in the planning of public relations programs.
- Write newsletter articles for in-house journal.
- Assist in the design of promotional materials for the good municipal image.
- Liaise with stakeholders on service delivery issues of the municipality.
Education
National Diploma: Public Relations Management - Public Relations, Media Studies, Communication Studies, Marketing and Advertising, Business English, Videology, Psychology
04-2000
Diploma - Computer Studies And General Office Practice
11-1996
- Diploma in Computer Studies and General Office practice
- Introduction to computers
- Disk Operating System
- Word Processing (Word Perfect 5.1)
- Lotus 123
- Q&A Database
- Office Procedures & Secretarial Duties
- Business English
Grade 12 (Matric) - undefined
11-1995
- Sepedi (N.sotho)
- English
- Afrikaans
- Accounting
- Business Economics
- Economics
- Mathematics
Skills
Stakeholder Engagement
Media Relations
Event Planning and Management
Photography and Videography
Research and Writing
Team Leadership
Public Speaking
Marketing and Promotion
Crisis Management
Conflict Resolution
Presentation
Courses
- National Diploma in Public Relations Management
- Jan 1997
- Public Relations
- Media Studies
- Communication Science
- Marketing and Advertising
- Social Psychology
- Computer Studies
- Office Administration
- Videology and photography
- Diploma in Computer Studies and General Office practice
- Jan 1996
- Introduction to computers
- Disk Operating System
- Word Processing (Word Perfect 5.1)
- Lotus 123
- Q&A Database
- Office Procedures & Secretarial Duties
- Business English
Accomplishments
Recipient of a Certificate of Excellence in producing the first official newsletter for Voortrekker District Hospital, Limpopo Department of Health.
References
- Joseph, Dhlamini, Chairperson, josephdhlamini10@gmail.com, 082 593 7466, LIMPSU Restoration Organisation, Mokopane
- Dimakatso, Makhafola, Director-Communication, 083 261 3017, Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Hlengane Michael, Baloyi, Senior Community Liaison Officer, 072 239 2766, Voortrekker District Hospital, Limpopo Department of Health, Mokopane
Software
ChatGPT
MS Word
MS PowerPoint
MS Excel
MS Publisher
Timeline
Senior Communications Officer - Limpopo Pioneers of Service Users (LIMPSU) Restoration Organisation
08.2015 - Current
Communications Specialist - Gauteng Legislature
10.2007 - 07.2015
Public Relations Assistant - Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
07.2005 - 08.2007
Community Liaison Officer (Learnership) - Limpopo Department of Health, Voortrekker District Hospital
07.2004 - 06.2005
Public Relations Trainee (In-service training) - Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
07.1999 - 06.2000
Mpedi Bapeding Commercial School - Grade 12 (Matric),
Vaal University of Technology - National Diploma: Public Relations Management, Public Relations, Media Studies, Communication Studies, Marketing and Advertising, Business English, Videology, Psychology
Bright Future Institute - Diploma, Computer Studies And General Office Practice