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
References
References available on request.
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)
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