Zaphesheya Luthuli
Senior Specialist Regulatory Stakeholder Engagement
Pietermaritzburg,KZN
Summary
Experienced in managing stakeholder relations and public communication, with a strong background in fostering positive community interactions and supporting organizational goals. Has a proven track record of successfully navigating crisis situations and demonstrating proficiency in strategic planning. Expertise lies in building and maintaining solid relationships with stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Equipped to make a meaningful impact on organizational success by leveraging skills in stakeholder management, crisis management, and strategic planning.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Forestry Community Liaison Officer
Sappi Southern Africa
10.2020 - Current
- Strengthened community relationships by organizing and hosting regular meetings, workshops, and events such as environment and safety campaigns for communities and the operations.
- Promoted a positive image of the organization to the public through proactive responses to inquiries, complaints, and concerns especially around operational risks to livestock and environmental impact.
- Served as the advocate for underrepresented populations within the rural community tabling their concerns during decision-making processes in the business.
- Coordinated the volunteer youth program (Abashintshi) across KZN for various projects, resulting in a diverse pool of committed individuals willing to contribute their time and skills to their communities.
- Enhanced community outreach efforts by establishing partnerships with local organizations, schools, and traditional councils thus ensuring visibility and committed partnership in local, district and provincial
- Monitored and evaluated the effectiveness of existing programs or services by analyzing data, preparing reports and making recommendations for improvement therefore boosting the rural economy in onboarding SMME's to the Sappi value chain allowing shared value for our neighbours.
- Participated actively in local awareness campaigns, imbizos and operation sukuma sakhe seminars to gain insight into emerging trends, issues and opportunities affecting the communities.
- Supported social impact program efforts by gathering research for various initiatives, ensuring continuous improvement in the sustainable livelihoods of our communities.
- Collaborated with the Environment, Safety, Research units within the organization to develop comprehensive approaches to addressing employee safety in forestry operations of silviculture and harvesting community issues.
- Organized successful campaigns that promoted environmental sustainability within the community through educational workshops and clean-up activities.
- Boosted local engagement with various initiatives through effective communication and collaboration strategies.
- Contributed to policy development by providing insights into community needs based on extensive knowledge of local issues.
- Assisted in grant writing processes for funding opportunities that align with organizational goals and community needs.
- Assisted in budget planning and allocation process by providing accurate information on community needs, priorities or potential impact of funding decisions.
- Networked with local organizations, leaders, and consumers, resulting in establishment of new and lasting partnerships and relationships.
- Provided assistance by researching local issues, participating in ESTA dwellers engagements and creating action plans to tackle obstacles.
- Approached issues proactively to best meet current and future community needs.
- Facilitated community outreach to expand participation and support.
- Coordinated and managed volunteer activities for community service projects the Abashintshi, change agents youth program where aspiring entrepreneurs, civil society activists and social entrepreneurs received skills and resources.
- Intervened in crisis situations to obtain support for clients and reduce escalation or recurrence risks.
- Led group discussions and activities to meet different community needs.
- Communicated with community members to assess concerns or current issues and identify corrective measures.
- Developed long-lasting partnerships with local leaders, management team and peers with active engagement, exemplary communication and consistent issue resolution.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget.
- Initiated sustainability programs to fund and train SMMEs expansion, improving the company's social impact in the rural landscape as this secured sustainable employment.
- Negotiated with suppliers to reduce material costs, improving profit margins.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes as all calendar events were executed successfully including those in collaboration with local and national departments.
- Improved stakeholder relations through proactive communication, addressing concerns, and demonstrating commitment to sustainable practices.
- Improved stakeholder relations by assisting in the organization of community outreach programs and events most recently in providing training and amenities to the Department of Education through Early Childhood Development Centres.
- Spearheaded crisis communication planning efforts, ensuring a proactive approach in addressing potential issues or concerns impacting the organization's reputation and stakeholder relations most recently in the fire incident in Boston.
Research Intern (Restitution)
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
03.2018 - 03.2020
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting. Enabling comprehensive feedback to supervisors and management.
- Attended meetings and presentations to learn project details. Which required effective communication with the public through media, telephone and posters.
- Completed research, compiled data, updated spreadsheets, and produced timely reports with the help of archives and physical extraction of information from individuals who were dispossessed of their land due the the Land Act of 1913.
- Performed data entry tasks meticulously, maintaining high levels of accuracy throughout the entire dataset and ensuring all the interviews where recorded properly.
- Collaborated with team members for successful completion of research projects on time and within budget.
- Maintained detailed records of the legal procedures, thus providing transparency and replicability of results upon request by my supervisors.
- Optimized research methodologies to improve result accuracy and reliability, verification exercises to physically source data and confirm family members backed by desktop research.
- Kept abreast of current industry and regulatory developments and issues as well as law in the land space.
- Oversaw quality assurance guidelines for research reports before they would be submitted to the Quality assurance Manager.
- Presented report updates regularly to the restitution committee, ensuring transparency and accountability in all activities.
- Communicated effectively with all different personalities and people in various job positions by being courteous, enthusiastic and offering clear feedback.
- Established strong relationships with government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and communities to facilitate cooperation on shared goals.
- Track and update new information and data for reports that are still in research phase.
- Facilitate service delivery of a high standard that fast tracks the mandate (restitution for the dispossessed).
Education
Bachelor of Social Science - Political Science,Law And Philosophy
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
High School Diploma -
Alexandra High School
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
- Stakeholder Relations with across local, traditional, grassroots, provincial, internal and business stakeholders
- Communicator and partner of safety and environment units in meeting the biodiversity regulations and OHS procedures
- Social Impact and SMME Development in the local sector
- Compliance and social risks facilitation and amicable resolve
- Community Development across all tiers of society
- Compliance with engagement policies and governance procedures
- Cross functional alignment and collaborative team member
- Diplomatic approach in government engagements and processes
- Proficient in project management, conflict resolution and risk management
- Management of stakeholder and complaints register
- Teamwork and collaboration for effective and advanced contribution
- Advanced skillset in stakeholder relations management and communication
Soft Skills
- Proficiency in English and IsiZulu
- Proficiency in Excel and Project Management
- Strong Negotiation Skills
- Strong Customer Service background
- Independent with high integrity
- Analytical skills and proactive nature
Accomplishments
Saw through an SMME proposal, funding and sustainable business of a woman owned brick making business in Emmaus, Winterton Okhahlamba Local Municipality
Saw through the expansion of a rural Cooperative in Mphithini, Bulwer Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Local Municipality
Timeline
Forestry Community Liaison Officer
Sappi Southern Africa
10.2020 - Current
Research Intern (Restitution)
Department of Rural Development and Land Reform
03.2018 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Social Science - Political Science,Law And Philosophy
University of KwaZulu-Natal
04.2001 -
High School Diploma -
Alexandra High School
04.2001 -
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