Nokuzola Zenani

• Exco Report preparation on behalf of the department.
• Plan and conduct National Station Audits for station compliance purposes.
• Regional support on strategic issues and interventions relating to Customer Services.
• Facilitate the implementation of the Fare Revenue Committee activities at regional level.
• Distribute the Customer Satisfaction Index and Census results and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions undertaken by the regions. Advise and assist with the implementation of strategies to improve the customer experience.
• Implement Customer Improvements projects
• Conduct regional station visits.
• Reason for leaving: Better prospects
• Enhanced company reputation by driving successful initiatives that addressed client pain points effectively.

• In charge of four Regional Communications and Marketing Managers (Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal).
• Media liaison:
• - Fielding media queries (regional and national).
• - Placing key stories in dailies/specialist and specialist publications.
• - Drafting media releases.
• - Forging and maintaining media relationships.
• - Determining strategic media direction/Communication Messages and key areas of focused based on the PRASA Strategic Plan.
• Communications:
• - Speech writing.
• - Conducting radio, print and television interviews.
• - Drafting communication angles for the business to ensure message alignment.
• - Internal Communications
• Construction Communications:
• Working with PRASA Technical in charge of modernisation projects, undertake the following:
• - Technical construction communication strategies (national).
• - Advice on handling customer complaints for both environmental and construction queries.
• - Combine all planned works from PRASA Technical and design regional specific construction communications plan.

REASON FOR LEAVING: Temporary job assignment. Moved back to Corporate Communications

(Promoted from Metrorail Gauteng to Group CEO Spokesperson at PRASA).

• Media Relations
• Fielding media queries.
• Placing key stories in dailies/specialist publications.
• Drafting media releases.
• Forging and maintaining media relationships.
• Drafting briefing notes on rail technical information for media stories.
• Develop the Communication Strategy and media agenda based on;

- The PRASA Strategic Plan

- The GCEO’s overview in the Annual Report

- Business Performance goals

- Group financial performance, and

- Exco outcomes.

• Speech writing.
• Planning and executing PRASA’s participation in Government events (October Transport Month).
• Drafting event concepts and activity schedules (the launch of the new Metrorail trains by President Zuma in 2017).

Additional work assignment at an operational region:

• Regional Metrorail assignment as Acting Head of Department (Marketing and Communications at the Western Cape Metrorail – September 2021 – June 2023.
• Spokesperson for the Western Cape Regional Manager.
• Strategic Communications and Marketing of the Metrorail services in the Western Cape.
• Stakeholder Relations (community meetings and briefings on planned rail construction upgrades. Ongoing council meeting presentations on rail upgrades).
• Government Relations with the City of Cape Town
• Media Relations and planned special media interviews and community relations on board the trains.
• On camera interviews.
• Radio interviews

Skills summary

• Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
• Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
• Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
• Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.

Reason for leaving: To learn more about other areas of the business.

• Co-ordinate the Gauteng Region Communications and Marketing
• Liaise with technical team on Train Operations and its effects on the customers
• Media liaison/queries handling
• Drafting media releases
• Radio and on-camera media interviews for news
• Co-ordinating Regional Communication Efforts with Head office (Passenger Rail Services Agency of South Africa – Prasa, formerly SARCC)
• Crisis communications
• Community Liaison

ACHIEVEMENTS:

• Successful Crisis Communications around the Rovos Rail Derailment accident – 3 days after being appointed to the position.
• Successfully managed crisis communications around train service suspension due to Union strikes – the second week in the position.
• Successfully managed crisis communication around burnt train sets – four weeks in the position.

REASON FOR LEAVING: Was promoted to PRASA Corporate, in the Group CEO’s Office.

• Liaise between the Civil and the Electric Mechanical (E&M) contractors on the Gautrain project.
• Community liaison on behalf of the project.
• Drafting and implementing communication plans on behalf of the Civils and E&M Contractors.
• Handling public queries on behalf of the project.
• Risk profiling communication areas and drafting mitigation communication plans.
• Liaising with the City of Joburg, City of Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Metro’s as part of project co-ordination between the Gautrain Project and the three Metros.
• Gained intimate knowledge for the construction methodology at each of the 33 construction sites and was able to simplify the information and messages for public consumption (media releases and road diversion maps for the Rosebank road works).
• Gained intimate knowledge of the environmental guidelines in order to anticipate communication strategy and warn the sites of the potential transgressions.

REASON FOR LEAVING: End of contract term

• Spokesperson for the National Minister for Agriculture and land Affairs (media and general).
• Speech writing on Agriculture and Land Affairs policy issues/operational issues for the Minister and Deputy Minister.
• Information drafting for Parliamentary media briefings for the Minister and Deputy Minister.
• Information research and compilation for the Agriculture and Land Affairs Budget Vote speeches for the Minister and Deputy Minister.
• Drafting media releases on behalf of the Ministry.
• Strategic planning on Ministerial communications in line with both Agriculture and Land Affairs quarterly issues.
• Attend Government Communication and Information Services (GCIS) Media Liaison Officer (MLO) meetings to discuss Ministerial/departmental strategic issues for public communications.
• Travel to all Land settlements with the Minister and Deputy Minister.
• Arrange media coverage for land settlements as well as agricultural project activities for the Minister and Deputy Minister.
• Work in Parliament during parliamentary sessions.
• Arrange post Budget Vote banquets.
• Draft motions for the Parliamentary Officer on behalf of the Ministry.
• Arranged the following for the 2003 National Land Summit:
• Appointed the management company to co-ordinate the National Land Summit.
• Arranged the list of political and non-political attendees.
• Drafted letters of Invitations and RSVP’s to attendees on behalf of the Land and Agriculture Director Generals
• Arranged travel and accommodation
• Arranged the venue, security, catering and registration

REASON FOR LEAVING: New Offer from Gautrain and Minister’s five-year term end.

• Project: AFRICA AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE 2000 EXHIBITION
• Brainstorming visual exhibition marketing material with client.
• Drafting invitation for international media.
• Drafting media releases on the project for non-defence media for empowerment purposes.
• Managing the media centre during the exhibition.
• Responsible for all media liaison during the event.
• Compiling exhibition information for international media.
• Managing local managing media tours to the exhibition.
• Managing school tours to the exhibition.
• Arranging for an on-site television broadcast.

REASON FOR LEAVING: End of project

Clients:

• Proctor & Gamble
• The National Department of Health
• The Limpopo Provincial Government
• Proctor and Gamble:
• Drafted radio scripts for a 1 hour community radio show on the following products: Vicks Vapour Rub and Always pads for a six months.

The National Department of Health:

• Joined the department’s communications team to assist in the execution of the following duties:
• Daily media monitoring and recommendations on the way-forward.
• Draft media responses on negative publicity.
• Information research to positively position the department.

The Limpopo Provincial Government:

• Attend daily plenary meetings with the Chief of Staff in the Premier’s office.
• Assist in setting internal communications team
• Assist in managing negative media publicity and draft counter articles.
• Conduct media training for the Provincial MEC’s and the Premier (Mr Ngoako Ramathlodi).
• Information research for speeches.
• Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.

REASONS FOR LEAVING: Better prospects