Tabby Tsengwie
Midrand
Summary
A seasoned Corporate Affairs Executive with over 25 years of experience across sectors and African markets. I have consistently delivered impactful results in strategic communications, reputation management, marketing, sustainability, stakeholder relations, and regulatory affairs. Recognised for my creative thinking and pragmatic problem-solving, I have developed and executed innovative strategies that align with business objectives and stakeholder expectations. My solutions-driven approach has supported organizational growth, strengthened brand equity, and safeguarded license to operate. I have led high-performing communications teams, ensured regulatory compliance, and rolled out integrated campaigns that resonated across diverse African geographies. I remain committed to leveraging my expertise to create shared value, manage reputational risk, and build trusted relationships with key stakeholders.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager: Public Affairs and Sustainability
Old Mutual Limited
01.2021 - 01.2024
- Covered 13 markets across Africa and supported executives in stakeholder engagements to create an enabling operating environment.
- Led quarterly reporting on the quality of stakeholder relationships to the EXCO, Responsible Business Committee, and in the Integrated Annual Report.
- Leveraged cross-functional team capabilities and developed a robust internal talent pipeline.
- Proactively managed industry and business organisation memberships to maximise strategic impact.
- Revised the Group’s Social Investment and Financial Education strategies to align with evolving stakeholder needs.
- Spearheaded the publication of the inaugural stand-alone Climate and Sustainability Reports, enhancing transparency and ESG positioning.
Chief Communications Officer
Old Mutual Limited
01.2018 - 01.2021
- Created and implemented the Group’s Communication Strategy for employees across 13 African countries.
- Developed and executed the CEO and EXCO’s communications and thought leadership strategy.
- Aligned in-country CEOs and their communications and marketing teams to deliver the Anchoring in Africa initiative, strategically supporting the 2018 Managed Separation process.
- Managed the Group’s reputation as the voice of the organisation during a protracted legal dispute with the former CEO.
- Successfully galvanised key stakeholders across Africa to support the business’s position on good governance.
- Enhanced strategic communication efforts internally and externally, growing audiences and steadily increasing share of voice on key issues, including financial education and advice.
- Spearheaded communication for the Bula Tsela Employee Share Scheme — a pioneering employee ownership initiative in South Africa.
- Led change communications during the rebranding of Old Mutual’s East African operations.
- Coordinated and managed live broadcasts for Annual and Interim Results, including Tier 1 media interviews for the CEO, CFO, and relevant EXCO members.
- Spearheaded crisis communications across 13 countries, working closely with in-country CEOs to ensure alignment and responsiveness.
General Manager: Branding & Communications
Land and Agricultural Bank of South Africa
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Elevated awareness of the Bank’s development impact through targeted marketing and communication plans focused on the agricultural sector.
- Led the review of communication policies and implemented a standardised branding approach across the organisation.
- Developed a focused thought leadership media plan to position the Bank as a credible voice in agricultural finance.
- Oversaw the development and launch of the new Land Bank website: www.landbank.co.za.
- Led the compilation and timeous publication of two editions of the Bank’s Integrated Report, ensuring alignment with governance and reporting standards.
Head: Corporate Communications
British American Tobacco South Africa
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Collaborated with key decision-makers in government and media to raise awareness about the sharp rise in illicit trade.
- Implemented monitoring of regulatory-based communication to support the Group’s licence to operate.
- Worked cross-functionally with key stakeholders and the tobacco industry body to address legislative developments related to product placement.
Divisional Executive: Group Communications
Nedbank
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Created and implemented the Nedbank Group Communications Strategy for 30 000 employees across the organisation.
- Developed and executed the Group Chief Executive and EXCO’s communications and public relations strategy.
- Successfully managed communication around the Chief Executive transition, ensuring alignment and transparency with all stakeholders.
- Spearheaded the communication strategy for the launch of the Black Business Partners initiative, positioning it as a key transformation milestone.
- Coordinated and executed the annual Nedbank Staff Roadshow - sixteen events across Africa - including the live broadcast of Annual and Interim Results to employees.
PR & Image Manager
Microsoft South Africa
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Successfully launched Windows Vista to key stakeholders and managed reputational risks associated with system vulnerabilities and hacking.
- Coordinated and executed the bi-annual Africa Heads of State Seminar, attended by 31 African Presidents, Microsoft Global CEO Bill Gates, and former US President Bill Clinton (February 2008), positioning Microsoft as a strategic partner in African development.
Senior Manager: Marketing
MTN
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Aligned Group marketing and communication campaigns to deliver single-minded messaging with the end customer in mind.
- Ratified and streamlined the supplier base to eliminate duplication and achieve cost savings.
- Led change communication for the 2001 rebranding to MTN Hello The Future, ensuring stakeholder alignment and market impact.
Marketing Manager
M-Net
01.1998 - 12.1998
- Rebranded channel assets across the DStv bouquet to ensure consistent visual identity and audience appeal.
- Developed targeted campaigns to attract black audiences to pay television during the Open Time window, driving viewership and market penetration.
- Designed and executed the launch plan for Big Brother 1 in 2003 - South Africa’s first-ever reality television show - setting a new benchmark for local entertainment programming.
Education
International Executive Development Programme -
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
Johannesburg01.2013
MBA -
Bond University, Australia
Australia01.2001
Post-Graduate Diploma in Advertising & Marketing -
AAA School of Advertising
Sandton01.1995
Bachelor of Journalism -
Rhodes University
Grahamstown/Makhanda01.1993
Matric -
Diocesan School For Girls (DSG)
Grahamstown/Makhanda01.1987
Skills
- Strategic and executive leadership
- Corporate affairs strategy
- Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
- Reputation management and crisis communication
- ESG and sustainability reporting
- Governance and regulatory affairs
- Board and EXCO-level communications
- Transformation and change management
- Integrated communications strategy
- Executive thought leadership
- Internal and external communications
- Brand positioning and rebranding campaigns
- Media relations and PR strategy
- Employee engagement and culture building
- Digital and social media communications
- Multi-country strategy execution
- Cross-cultural team leadership
- Regional stakeholder alignment
- Public sector and government relations
- Strategic marketing planning
- Audience segmentation and targeting
- campaign development and execution
- Event management and live broadcast coordination
- Product launch strategy
- Corporate social investment (CSI) strategy
- Financial education program design
- Community investment and engagement
- Industry body representation
Certification
GIBS Alumni Network
Institute of Directors in South Africa (IoDSA)
Shared Value Africa Initiative (SVAI)
IABC Africa (International Association of Business Communicators)
Timeline
General Manager: Public Affairs and Sustainability
Old Mutual Limited
01.2021 - 01.2024
Chief Communications Officer
Old Mutual Limited
01.2018 - 01.2021
General Manager: Branding & Communications
Land and Agricultural Bank of South Africa
01.2016 - 01.2018
Head: Corporate Communications
British American Tobacco South Africa
01.2014 - 01.2016
Divisional Executive: Group Communications
Nedbank
01.2008 - 01.2013
PR & Image Manager
Microsoft South Africa
01.2006 - 01.2008
Senior Manager: Marketing
MTN
01.2001 - 01.2003
Marketing Manager
M-Net
01.1998 - 12.1998
International Executive Development Programme -
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
MBA -
Bond University, Australia
Post-Graduate Diploma in Advertising & Marketing -
AAA School of Advertising
Bachelor of Journalism -
Rhodes University
Matric -
Diocesan School For Girls (DSG)