Oonikho Zilwa
Pretoria
Summary
Dynamic public relations practitioner with a proven ability to craft and secure positive media coverage and enhance brand visibility. Always fostering collaborative team environments that drive impactful results while managing relationships and strategic PR initiatives. A proactive approach to ensuring effective solutions in fast-paced settings. Committed to leveraging strong communication skills to elevate goals and strengthen reputation.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Public Relations Manager
Native Child
Randburg (Remote)
01.2025 - 04.2025
- PR Strategies & Activities, Media relations, Influencer Campaigns, Collaborations, Social Media, Events, Communications, Brand & Budget Management, Trend Monitoring, Analytics & Reporting.
Head of Public Relations
That Food Guy Group
Midrand (Remote)
08.2024 - 12.2024
- PR strategies & Activities, Media relations, Influencer Engagement, Communications & Reporting.
Public Relations & Social Media Manager
Rooom Mobile Salon
Randburg (Remote)
04.2024 - 07.2024
- Strategic Planning, Social Media & Content Management, Influencer Campaign, Events, Crisis Management, Analytics and Reporting, Brand Management, Collaborations, Trend Monitoring & Budget Management.
Business Administration/Operations Manager
Netmarks IT Group
Centurion
09.2020 - 03.2024
- Strategic Planning, Financial Management, Human Resource Assist, Operations Management, Project Management, Administration, Communications, Events, Stakeholder Relations, Tender Administration & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Communications Practitioner
Consumer Goods Council of South Africa
Sandton
04.2019 - 04.2020
- Communications, Events, Reporting, Administration & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Tender Administrator
Zilwa Cleaning And Gardening Services cc
Pretoria
01.2017 - 03.2019
- Tender compilation & submission, Administration, Payroll & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Administration Clerk
South African Police Service
Pretoria
06.2015 - 10.2016
- Data Entry, Filing and Documentation, Correspondence, Meeting Support, Travel and Accommodation Arrangements, Events, Reporting, Office Support & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Public Relations Practitioner
Vivid Luxury
Cape Town
03.2014 - 11.2014
- Media Relations, PR Activities, Events, Communications, Ad Hoc Tasks & Administrative Support.
Public Relations Practitioner
Redink Multimedia
Centurion
09.2012 - 12.2012
- Media Relations, Social Media, Events, Communications & Administrative Support.
PR Freelancer
Divine Women Empowerment International
Sandton (Remote)
06.2025 - Current
- PR Freelancer - Media Relations, Event Coordination, Reporting, Communications & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Team Lead Freelancer
The Business of Creativity Talk / Passion Projects
Pretoria (Remote)
04.2023 - Current
- Team Lead Freelancer - Event Planning & Coordination, Team Management, Speaker Selection and Coordination, Promotion, Communications, Post-Event Evaluation, Adaptability, Ad Hoc Tasks & Problem-Solving.
Team Lead Freelancer
TEDx Pretoria
Pretoria (Remote)
11.2022 - Current
- Team Lead Freelancer - On-Site Logistics, Problem-Solving, Speaker and Performer Support, Communications, Timeline Management, Accessibility and Inclusivity, Team Spirit, Ad Hoc Tasks & Motivation.
PR Freelancer
Easy Agency
Pretoria (Remote)
05.2025 - 06.2025
- PR Freelancer - Media Relations, Monitoring, Reporting, Strategic Planning, Administrative Support, & Ad Hoc Tasks.
PR Freelancer
Mapentane Music Academy
Pretoria (Remote)
10.2022 - 03.2024
- PR Freelancer - Sponsorships, Collaboration, Influencer Engagement, Reporting, Ad Hoc Tasks & Communications.
PR Assistant Freelancer
Jana Leonard
Cape Town (Remote)
10.2023 - 01.2024
- PR Assistant Freelancer – Media Relations, Social Media, Administrative Support, Influencer Engagement, Reporting, Creative Input & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Business Funding Proposal
Leloko Transport Freelancer
Pretoria (Remote)
06.2023 - 06.2023
- Business Funding Proposal
PR Freelancer
Butternife PR
Cape Town (Remote)
04.2022 - 07.2022
- PR Freelancer - Media Relations, Monitoring, Reporting, Strategic Planning, Administrative Support, & Ad Hoc Tasks.
PR Freelancer
ISIOM Solutions
Pretoria (Remote)
07.2020 - 11.2021
- PR Freelancer - Media Relations, Communications, Strategic Planning, Administrative Support, and Ad Hoc Tasks.
PR Freelancer
Vatiswa Ndara
Johannesburg (Remote)
02.2018 - 06.2018
- PR Freelancer - Marketing Support, Communications, Strategic Planning, Administrative Tasks & Ad Hoc Tasks.
PR Freelancer
The Food Love Makers Freelancer
Pretoria (Remote)
09.2017 - 12.2018
- Business Proposal Plan and Tendering Assistance.
PR Freelancer
Mohale Golf Agency
Pretoria (Remote)
06.2017 - 11.2018
- PR Freelancer - Media Relations, Communications, Strategic Planning, Administrative Tasks, Events, and Ad Hoc Tasks.
PR Freelancer
EDEN (Enabling Disability Education Nationally)
Pretoria (Remote)
08.2017 - 08.2017
- PR Freelancer - Strategic Planning & Ad Hoc Tasks.
Education
Grade 12- Diploma -
Pretoria Secondary School
01.2009
Bachelor of Arts Honors - Communication
Varsity College
01.2019
B.Tech - Public Relations Management
Tshwane University of Technology
01.2018
Diploma - Public Relations
Varsity College
01.2012
Skills
- Media relations
- Crisis management
- PR strategy development
- Influencer outreach
- Event planning
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Decision-making
- Relationship building
- Leadership
- Brand management
Timeline
PR Freelancer
Divine Women Empowerment International
06.2025 - Current
PR Freelancer
Easy Agency
05.2025 - 06.2025
Public Relations Manager
Native Child
01.2025 - 04.2025
Head of Public Relations
That Food Guy Group
08.2024 - 12.2024
Public Relations & Social Media Manager
Rooom Mobile Salon
04.2024 - 07.2024
PR Assistant Freelancer
Jana Leonard
10.2023 - 01.2024
Business Funding Proposal
Leloko Transport Freelancer
06.2023 - 06.2023
Team Lead Freelancer
The Business of Creativity Talk / Passion Projects
04.2023 - Current
Team Lead Freelancer
TEDx Pretoria
11.2022 - Current
PR Freelancer
Mapentane Music Academy
10.2022 - 03.2024
PR Freelancer
Butternife PR
04.2022 - 07.2022
Business Administration/Operations Manager
Netmarks IT Group
09.2020 - 03.2024
PR Freelancer
ISIOM Solutions
07.2020 - 11.2021
Communications Practitioner
Consumer Goods Council of South Africa
04.2019 - 04.2020
PR Freelancer
Vatiswa Ndara
02.2018 - 06.2018
PR Freelancer
The Food Love Makers Freelancer
09.2017 - 12.2018
PR Freelancer
EDEN (Enabling Disability Education Nationally)
08.2017 - 08.2017
PR Freelancer
Mohale Golf Agency
06.2017 - 11.2018
Tender Administrator
Zilwa Cleaning And Gardening Services cc
01.2017 - 03.2019
Administration Clerk
South African Police Service
06.2015 - 10.2016
Public Relations Practitioner
Vivid Luxury
03.2014 - 11.2014
Public Relations Practitioner
Redink Multimedia
09.2012 - 12.2012
Bachelor of Arts Honors - Communication
Varsity College
B.Tech - Public Relations Management
Tshwane University of Technology
Diploma - Public Relations
Varsity College
Grade 12- Diploma -
Pretoria Secondary School
References
Lameez, Mohd, Account Manager, lameez@vividluxury.co.za, +2773 181 8205, +2721 465 2312, Vivid Luxury
Corlette Setshedi, Lieutenant Colonel, SetshediMasello@saps.gov.za, +2772 543 9311 / +2712 407 2031, South African Police Service
Kgomotso Mamabolo, Founder & Director, kgomotso@passionprojects.co.za, +27 74 444 2405, Passion Projects
Shaun Nel, Speaker Curation, Partnerships & Utility Team Member, shaun@tedxpretoria.com, +2783 256 4874, TEDx Pretoria
Awards
2019 Item Measurement Training, 2019 Barcode Verification Training – GS1, 2019 Ditshego Media Work Readiness Training Program, 2019 Ditshego social media training, 2013 BEECA Training Certificate - Business Planning and Introduction to Project Management, 2011 Public Relations Campaign for Smile Foundation, 2010 Public Relations Campaign for Kungwini Home, 2007-2009 Executive Representative Counsel for Learners (Secretary), 2004-2009 Representative Counsel for Learners
Behavioral Competencies
Communication accountability, leadership integrity, learning agility, quality management, honesty, building relationships, and problem-solving.