Spokazi Somi
Marketing Executive
Bryanston
Summary
A seasoned marketing executive with 20+ years in strategic leadership roles across Africa and the Middle East. With an MBA and expertise in brand positioning, stakeholder engagement, and campaign execution, she has driven high-impact growth at organizations like Right to Care, Old Mutual, and AIG. Known for her results-driven approach, she excels in managing multinational teams and securing powerful, measurable outcomes in diverse markets.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Right to Care Group
11.2019 - Current
- Company Overview: ( + - R1,8 billion turnover NPO funded by the USAID operating across 5 countries)
- Development and execution of marketing strategy that supports the U.S
- President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and government donor funds acquisitions & business development
- Leading the effort to define and manage the Company's core communication strategy messaging and corporate positioning, both internally and externally
- Develop and manage the implementation of communication programs directed at patience, with a focus on significantly focusing on social behavioural change
- Strategic Positioning of Right to Care to all relevant local and international stakeholders
- Demonstrating value and authentication of executed programs through high quality human success stories footage for presentation to US Congress and other relevant stakeholders
- Establish a robust marketing & Communications Division
- Development of Right to Care Brand Architectural strategy
- Development of Brand Guidelines and culture strategy
- Develop Group Marketing and Communications Strategy
- Equip brand transition to Right to Care
- Development of Social Behavioural Change and Value Proposition frameworks
- Development of Stakeholder engagement and value propositions
- Responsible for Right to Care corporate and leadership profiling
- Responsible for the overall development, management and execution of internal and external communications, branding, marketing, media relations and stakeholder relation strategies
- Development and implement communication, advertising, public relations, and media strategies that maintain an effective balance between the broad communication objectives of the Corporation with the specific communications requirements of the operational business units
- Leading corporate public relations activities, both on-line and offline, to increase visibility and reinforce appropriate strategic messages and build market leadership
- Provide counsel, guidance, and expertise to the business in implementing their communications campaigns
- Providing leadership and day-to-day management of the corporate communication, digital communications, and media teams; innovate the group to be a high-performing, results-focused team; effectively develop best-in-class communication talent
- ( + - R1,8 billion turnover NPO funded by the USAID operating across 5 countries)
Marketing Director
TABGA Strategic Solutions
12.2017 - 10.2019
- Responsible for the planning, direction, control, and coordination of all marketing, business development and communication activities
- Develops long-term marketing strategy with specific goals and reviews it on an annual basis
- Translates the strategy into working plans to achieve goals and monitors and evaluates performance against goals on a regular basis and takes corrective action
- Provides leadership over competitor activity tracking
- Assumes overall responsibility for the brand image, research, stakeholder management, internal communications and marketing campaigns profitability
- Manages Public Relations Activities, Responsible for official spokesperson content and responsible for all partner media enquiries
- Managing Advertising Agencies, works advertising agency tactical advertising campaigns' creative and media plans
- Managing Direct Marketing Activities, maximises and maintains budget control
- Manages Collateral, oversees coordination and execution of production of all printed materials, with assistance of advertising agencies
Marketing Executive
Old Mutual Foundation
08.2015 - 10.2017
- Company Overview: (Old Mutual R146 billion funds invested, presence in)
- Development of Foundation Marketing Strategy and overseeing partner marketing strategies development, including customer communication strategy in line with Regulatory requirements
- Supplier relationship and SLA’s agreements and management
- Responsible for Foundation Marketing, PR, Internal Communications, Brand Management, Customer Value Proposition, stakeholder Management and TCF compliance, Campaigns management
- Chaired TCF committee and developed OM Mass Foundation FSB – Parlour transition strategy
- Development cobranding strategy
- Managing brand usage by co-branded third parties including funeral parlours
- Overseeing stakeholder customer events, SAFPA, parlour engagements, regulator engagements etc
- Overseeing Market Research, customer needs and brand tracking including market share monitoring and customer satisfaction surveys and reporting thereof
- Working closely with actuary, operations, sales, and customer services in order to ensure product development incorporates market intelligence
- Working with rewards team to ensure that customer value adds remain relevant
- (Old Mutual R146 billion funds invested, presence in)
Marketing Executive
Old Mutual – Africa
02.2013 - 07.2015
- Oversee development of Old Mutual Africa marketing strategies in accordance to corporate plan and KPI balance scorecard
- Responsible for overall Old Mutual Africa Marketing portfolio: Research, Strategy, Brand, PR, CSI, Stakeholder management and Customer Value Proposition including product development
- Instrumental in the development of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in accordance to corporate plan and to development effective integrated marketing strategy for Africa
- Negotiates marketing strategy and implementation plans with country CEO’s, managers and stakeholders across Africa
- Oversee the establishment of cooperation and stakeholder agreement with international partners, based in Africa
- Instrumental in ensuring that Old Mutual representatives, country CEO’s functions and activities comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements
- Ensures compliance with OMEM timelines for business planning and executive reporting deliverables
- Provides governance and ensures consistency of process, architecture, and measurement is applied to Segmentation strategy and CVP development
- Provides co-ordination across the group to optimise delivery
- Development and Establishment of Performance and contractual management system in line with international best practices
- Oversee the development of Norms and standards for effective reporting
- Oversee the strategic management and operational oversight of the company’s global business development and operations in order to provide streamlined operations, reducing costs, customer satisfactions and greater profitability
- Interface with partners and larger clients to develop and maintain organizational strategies, operational efficiencies, and proposals for increasing technical efficiency and improving profitability
- Preparing a consolidated budget for marketing and development of the funding Models
West Africa and Southern Africa Marketing Manager
Standard Bank – CIB
08.2012 - 01.2013
- Contribute towards the development of regional marketing and communications strategies in line with the CIB Global Marketing Strategy
- Alignment of and successful implementation of CIB Marketing plans in-country
- Ensures that CIB Global and in-country marketing activities contribute to the CIB Global Marketing Strategy
- Ensures the consistent management of the CIB marketing activities across regions
- Keeps track of the implementation of the country plans developed across geographies, and how these support business strategies
- Develops and maintains effective and mutually beneficial relationships with the in-country MD’s and CIB Business Heads
- Develops and maintains effective and mutually beneficial relationships with the Product Marketing Heads and Group Marketing and Communications Specialist teams, as well as in-country marketing teams (Marketing & Communications)
- Effectively leverages off specialists in Group Marketing and Communications in order to deliver on marketing strategies and plans according to agreed planning and execution processes
- Monitor relevant competitor activity at a continental and regional level in order to integrate with country level competitor analysis, and take appropriate action, if required
- Accountable for the appointment and management of agencies in country, together with PBB Regional and in-country Marketing
Chief Executive Officer
Mfolozi Investment Group
01.2010 - 12.2012
- Interface with partners and larger clients to develop and maintain organizational strategies, operational efficiencies, and proposals for increasing technical efficiency and improving profitability
- Managing the Performance and development of staff within the operational areas and Service delivery innovations
- Successful oversaw implementation ICT governance and infrastructure and including development of Mfolozi Investment Group in SA provinces
- As a CEO & Director, successfully oversaw implementation of corporate governance strategies and administrative competencies strategies, and integrated reporting as per King III report and guidelines
- Spearheaded the 40% annual growth of the Mfolozi Investment Group and successful implementation of proper performance Management and internal control frameworks within the organisation in-aligned with our corporate objectives and strategic framework
- Enhanced the public image and recognition of the firm’s name within the business community through new business development networking
- Directed marketing strategies, business development plans, promotional activities, product development projects and formation of strategic Partnerships with leading companies/industries
- Develop, maintain, and implement effective systems for monitoring and evaluation of projects successes
- Successfully implemented financial discipline, internal reporting control as per Mfolozi’s objectives
Africa Marketing Manager
AIG
01.2008 - 12.2010
Marketing Manager
Momentum
01.2006 - 12.2008
Marketing Manager
Liberty
01.2006 - 12.2006
Segment Marketing Manager Africa and Middle East
Barclays
01.2003 - 12.2006
Junior Marketing Manager
Hollard
01.2003 - 12.2005
Call Centre Agent and Quality Assurer
American Insurance Company
01.2001 - 12.2003
Education
Doctor of Leadership -
Da Vinci Institute
Johannesburg, South Africa 01.2024 - Current
Advanced Management Program (AMPS) (Cum Laude) -
Alliance Manchester Business School, University
United Kingdom, England 01.2024 - 09.2024
RE 1 & RE 5 (Financial Services Sales And Keyman Q -
Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA)
Johannesburg, South Africa 01.2018 - 12.2018
MBA -
University of KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa 01.2008 - 12.2008
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management -
University of KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa 01.2003 - 12.2003
Certificate of Insurance -
Moonstone
Pretoria, South Africa 01.2003 - 12.2003
BA (Honours) -
University of Durban, Westville
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa 01.2000 - 12.2000
Bachelor of Arts -
University of KwaZulu Natal
KwaZulu Natal, South Africa 01.1999 - 12.1999
Skills
Leadership
Project Management
Supplier Management
Marketing Strategy
Communication Strategy Development
Brand Positioning
Brand Management
Stakeholder Management
Public Relations Management
Business Development
Customer Value Propositions Development
Research and Insights Development
Integrated Campaign Execution
Community Social Investment Management
HIV and Infectious Disease Program Management
References
- Nocawe Makiwane, Mfolozi Group Board Member, 083 303 3696
- David Murphy, Former President American Insurance Group A&H, +971 50 653 4432
- Andisa Ntsubane, Group Marketing Strategist – Former Old Mutual Group, 084 899 7927
- Dr Pappie Majuba, Managing Director Right to Care South Africa, 082 600 5303
Timeline
Doctor of Leadership -
Da Vinci Institute
01.2024 - Current
Advanced Management Program (AMPS) (Cum Laude) -
Alliance Manchester Business School, University
01.2024 - 09.2024
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
Right to Care Group
11.2019 - Current
RE 1 & RE 5 (Financial Services Sales And Keyman Q -
Insurance Institute of South Africa (IISA)
01.2018 - 12.2018
Marketing Director
TABGA Strategic Solutions
12.2017 - 10.2019
Marketing Executive
Old Mutual Foundation
08.2015 - 10.2017
Marketing Executive
Old Mutual – Africa
02.2013 - 07.2015
West Africa and Southern Africa Marketing Manager
Standard Bank – CIB
08.2012 - 01.2013
Chief Executive Officer
Mfolozi Investment Group
01.2010 - 12.2012
Africa Marketing Manager
AIG
01.2008 - 12.2010
MBA -
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.2008 - 12.2008
Marketing Manager
Momentum
01.2006 - 12.2008
Marketing Manager
Liberty
01.2006 - 12.2006
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management -
University of KwaZulu-Natal
01.2003 - 12.2003
Certificate of Insurance -
Moonstone
01.2003 - 12.2003
Segment Marketing Manager Africa and Middle East
Barclays
01.2003 - 12.2006
Junior Marketing Manager
Hollard
01.2003 - 12.2005
Call Centre Agent and Quality Assurer
American Insurance Company
01.2001 - 12.2003
BA (Honours) -
University of Durban, Westville
01.2000 - 12.2000
Bachelor of Arts -
University of KwaZulu Natal
01.1999 - 12.1999
Similar Profiles
Sandra Maria ShajuSandra Maria Shaju
Health care assistant at Maria Mallaband Care Group- Heritage Care HomeHealth care assistant at Maria Mallaband Care Group- Heritage Care Home
Melissa ReynoldsMelissa Reynolds
Registered Nurse at Serenity Hospice Care, LLC / Agape Care GroupRegistered Nurse at Serenity Hospice Care, LLC / Agape Care Group
Nedra Haynes-PetersNedra Haynes-Peters
Personal Care Assistant at Regis Aged Care/Roshana care groupPersonal Care Assistant at Regis Aged Care/Roshana care group
Banele Nkululeko NtuliBanele Nkululeko Ntuli
Candidate Attorney at Van Breda and Herbst Attorneys IncCandidate Attorney at Van Breda and Herbst Attorneys Inc
Emma Dieketseng MokoenaEmma Dieketseng Mokoena
E-commerce Specialist at Wadzani Holding Pty LtdE-commerce Specialist at Wadzani Holding Pty Ltd