Khulu Phasiwe
Communications Strategist
Johannesburg,Gauteng
Summary
I am a Corporate Communication Strategist with over 20 years' experience in media relations, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management.
I have worked for various organisations, including Eskom, where I was the national spokesperson.
I have also worked as a journalist at two of South Africa's premier daily newspapers, the Business Day and the Business Report.
I have a BA Honours degree in Publishing Studies from the University of Witwatersrand.
I am passionate about communication and enjoy working with people. I am a team player and have excellent interpersonal skills.
I am also a strategic thinker and have a keen eye for detail.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
4
4
Languages
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Spokesperson
Public Protector South Africa
05.2024 - 06.2025
- Provide strategic communication and media advice to management.
- Develop and implement communication strategies for the institution.
- Write and distribute media statements and opinion pieces.
- Conduct media interviews on behalf of the organisation.
- Organise media briefings and onsite media engagement sessions.
- Conduct media monitoring and analysis.
Head: Communication & Stakeholder Relations
South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
10.2019 - 02.2024
- Developed and implemented communication strategies for the organisation.
- Managed SARAO media relations and stakeholder engagement.
- Conducted media interviews on behalf of the organisation as the official Spokesperson.
- Organised media briefings.
- Wrote and distributed media statements and opinion pieces.
- Conducted media monitoring and analysis.
- Managed SARAO’s social media platforms and online presence.
- Developed and implemented crisis communication strategies.
- Provided strategic communication advice to management.
- Managed the institution's internal communication and employee engagement.
National Spokesperson
Eskom Holdings, SOC
11.2014 - 04.2019
- Acted as Eskom’s spokesperson and conducted media interviews on behalf of the organisation.
- Organised media briefings and onsite media engagement sessions for Eskom.
- Wrote and distributed media statements and opinion pieces.
- Conducted media monitoring and analysis.
- Ensure that the messages on the organisation's website and social media platforms are updated, factual and aligned.
- Developed and implemented crisis communication strategies.
- Provided strategic communication advice to Eskom’s executives.
Senior Communications Advisor
Eskom Holdings, SOC
07.2008 - 11.2014
- Provided strategic communication advice to Eskom’s executives.
- Organised media briefings and site visits to power stations.
- Wrote and distributed media statements.
- Conducted media monitoring and analysis for the company.
- Acted as Eskom’s spokesperson and conducted media interviews on behalf of the organisation.
Media Manager
First National Bank
01.2008 - 06.2008
- Build relationships with the media.
- Write and disseminate media statement and fact sheets.
- Profile senior managers.
- Identify and proactively manage issues that may pose a risk to the reputation of the organisation.
- Organise business networking opportunities.
Public Policy Correspondent
Business Day
06.2003 - 12.2007
- Researched and wrote news articles, features and opinion pieces on policies affecting state-owned companies.
- Conducted interviews with policymakers and stakeholders.
Financial Reporter
Business Report
01.2002 - 05.2003
- Researched and wrote accurate news articles on policies affecting state-owned companies.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Publishing Studies
02.2000 - 12.2000
Bachelor of Arts - African Literature
12-1999
Bachelor of Arts - African Literature
02.1996 - 12.1999
High School Diploma -
01.1992 - 12.1992
Skills
Strategic communication
Certification
Driving license category B
References
- Dr. Adrian Tiplady, Deputy Managing Director, SARAO
Email: adrian@sarao.ac.za
Mobile: 072 372 0134
- Ms. Nto Rikhotso, Senior Manager, Eskom
Mobile: 083 676 6922
- Moses Mudzwiti, Companies Editor, Business Report
Mobile: 076 614 2350
Accomplishments
* Voted Manager of the Year at Eskom in 2018.
* Participated as one of the panelists in the masterclass on reputation management that was organised by the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) in 2019.
* While working at Business Day, I was often called by various radio and television stations to provide expert opinion on state-owned companies.
Timeline
Spokesperson - Public Protector South Africa
05.2024 - 06.2025
Head: Communication & Stakeholder Relations - South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO)
10.2019 - 02.2024
National Spokesperson - Eskom Holdings, SOC
11.2014 - 04.2019
Senior Communications Advisor - Eskom Holdings, SOC
07.2008 - 11.2014
Media Manager - First National Bank
01.2008 - 06.2008
Public Policy Correspondent - Business Day
06.2003 - 12.2007
Financial Reporter - Business Report
01.2002 - 05.2003
University of The Witwatersrand - Bachelor of Arts, Publishing Studies
02.2000 - 12.2000
University of The Witwatersrand - Bachelor of Arts, African Literature
02.1996 - 12.1999
Sehunelo High School - High School Diploma,
01.1992 - 12.1992
University of The Witwatersrand - Bachelor of Arts, African Literature