THABISO ANN MAKGATO
Johannesburg
Summary
Experienced Acting Spokesperson skilled in media relations, public communication, strategic communication, crisis communication, stakeholder engagement, content management, and digital presence. Proficient in radio interviews and providing traffic updates. Demonstrated success in promoting key municipal programs and organizing impactful events. Previous work includes contributing to the exhumation of missing persons as part of a missing persons tasks team. Also, provided PR support and conducted interviews while seconded into the Political Office.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Media Liason Officer
Ekurhuleni Metro Police
01.2010 - Current
- Daily Duties: Attending to and investigating road accidents, incidents, and crime scenes
- Capturing of crime and scenes
- Police Management
- Road Safety and crime awareness campaigns for EMPD
- By-Law activities to ensure compliance and adherence to the law
- Experience in Working in Logistics
- Control and administer requisitions and purchase of stationery, consumables stock
- Obtain tax invoices and supporting documents for submission to finance department
- Organize catering for EMPD events
- Assist with processing and adjudication of tender and quotation in accordance with council Policies and Procedures
- Experience in Internal Cases: Distributing and capturing of cases for disciplinary matters
- Experience in working with Missing Persons, with Department of Justice: Exhumation remains of missing persons who were murdered the Apartheid regime and handing over their remains to their respective families
- Secondment to the office of the MMC: Community safety: Responsible for diary management, Meetings, Administrative functions in terms of managing his diary
- Media Liaison Officer: Events management, Traffic Updates, Writing of Media / Press releases, Media interviews on behalf of the EMPD, Issuing of Media Statements, Gathering of Information from different communication centers for traffic updates, Liaising with Local and National Media Houses, Giving detailed and concise media reports to the EMPD Spokesperson, Preparing Media Packs and covering events, Assisting the Spokesperson with compilation of newspaper editorials, Analyses Media trends, Respond to Community enquires in Media and referring complaints to the relevant sections, Initiating Media projects and campaigns to profile EMPD, Analysis of Initiatives articles, Conducting live interviews / participating and attending radio interviews
- Acted as the organization''s spokesperson when necessary, representing the company professionally in interviews or public events.
Media Liaison Officer
Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality
01.2009 - Current
- Media Relations and Public Communications: Serve as the official spokesperson for the municipality, responding to media inquiries and issuing official statements on behalf of the municipality
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, journalists, and communication partners to ensure accurate and effective dissemination of information
- Coordinate press conferences, media briefings, and interviews with senior municipal leaders
- Strategic Communication: Craft and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure alignment with municipal goals and priorities
- Monitor public sentiment and media coverage to develop proactive responses to emerging issues
- Draft speeches, press releases, opinion pieces, and other official documents for the municipality
- Crisis Communication: Act as the primary liaison during crises, managing sensitive situations to safeguard the municipality’s reputation
- Prepare crisis communication plans and coordinate timely responses to emergencies or public controversies
- Internal and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with various municipal departments to ensure consistent and unified messaging
- Facilitate effective communication between the municipality and external stakeholders, including businesses, NGOs, and residents
- Content Management and Digital Presence: Oversee the creation and dissemination of content across traditional and digital platforms, including social media and the municipal website
- Ensure communication materials are accurate, accessible, and reflective of the municipality’s values
- Key Achievements in Acting Role: Successfully managed communication campaigns to promote key municipal programs and initiatives
- Enhanced media coverage of the municipality, leading to improved public perception
- Spearheaded efforts to modernize the municipality’s digital communication channels
- Skills and Competencies: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and project management abilities
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and handle multiple priorities
- Proficient in digital communication tools and media monitoring platforms
- Prepared comprehensive talking points for senior management, enabling them to address complex issues confidently in various settings.
- Secured high-profile media placements by cultivating strong relationships with journalists and influencers.
- Leveraged social media platforms to amplify key messages and engage directly with target audiences effectively.
- Monitored media coverage and analyzed results to refine future messaging strategies continually.
- Advised colleagues on best practices for interacting with the media, reducing potential miscommunications or misunderstandings.
- Delivered persuasive speeches at public events, promoting organizational goals and initiatives.
- Streamlined media outreach efforts for increased coverage and public engagement.
- Contributed to long-term communications planning by assessing current strategies'' effectiveness while identifying areas of opportunity—managed relationships with external PR agencies, ensuring alignment with internal objectives and consistent messaging across all channels.
- Developed compelling narratives for press releases, resulting in heightened media interest.
- Conducted thorough research to ensure accurate representation of facts during interviews and presentations.
- Served as primary point of contact for all media inquiries, ensuring timely response and accurate information dissemination.
- Managed crisis communication strategies, mitigating potential negative impacts on the organization''s image.
- Boosted company visibility through strategic participation in industry events and conferences.
- Coordinated logistics for press conferences and other media events, ensuring smooth execution from start to finish.
- Cultivated strong relationships with media representatives to secure widespread coverage and feature stories.
- Developed and implemented social media strategy to increase engagement and reach new audiences.
- Used various social media platforms for media and blogger outreach.
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with communications and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective dissemination of mass communications.
Data Capturer
PLUS 94 Research Company
04.2024 - 12.2024
- Procurement and Administrative duties
- Data Capturing for Research purposes
- Researching for projects
- Daily duties also included managing operational relationships between Plus94 and clients through regular updates and communication
- Managed documents by organizing forms, making photocopies, filing records, preparing correspondence, and creating reports.
- Safeguarded the integrity of captured data by strictly adhering to established security protocols and guidelines.
- Provided exceptional customer service when responding to inquiries related to captured data or other relevant issues.
- Conducted surveys and documented all responses.
- Analyzed current data records to provide detailed reports.
- Conducted audits of existing data entry processes.
Administrative Assistant
SAPS Crime Intelligence
01.2024 - 12.2024
- Supported executive staff through scheduling meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, and preparing crucial documents.
- Developed filing system for historical documents, preserving important company records and improving access to information.
- Type reports, letters minutes, agendas and handle confidential information
- Keeping record of minutes and handle flow of correspondence for Intelligence unit
- Administer logistical support for department
- Events Management for Division
- Offering support to the Intelligence Unit
- Improved document organization with thorough file maintenance, archiving outdated records as necessary for efficient retrieval when needed.
- Managed phone and email correspondence and handled incoming and outgoing mail and faxes.
- Delivered excellent customer service through prompt responses to client inquiries, addressing concerns effectively, and building strong relationships.
Education
Corporate Governance And Communication - Corporate Governance And Communication
Unisa Business School
Pretoria PR and Communications - Public Relations
Damelin
Pretoria01.2015
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE -
Norkem Park High School
Kempton Park 12.2014
Skills
- In-depth understanding of law enforcement
- Media management
- Relations
- Stakeholder
- Exceptional organizational skills
- Project management
- Exceptional written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively under pressure
- Proficient in digital communication tools
- Proficient in media monitoring platforms
References
Available upon request
Contact - Personalinformation
Thabiso Ann Makgato, 111 Block 9, Acacia Complex, Greenstone, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2169, +27 81 803 3204, Thabiso.Makgato@ekurhuleni.gov.za
Timeline
Data Capturer
PLUS 94 Research Company
04.2024 - 12.2024
Administrative Assistant
SAPS Crime Intelligence
01.2024 - 12.2024
Media Liason Officer
Ekurhuleni Metro Police
01.2010 - Current
Media Liaison Officer
Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality
01.2009 - Current
Corporate Governance And Communication - Corporate Governance And Communication
Unisa Business School
PR and Communications - Public Relations
Damelin
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE -
Norkem Park High School
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