Meet The Team

Given Mkhari, Chairman.

With roots in the media and entertainment world, Given Mkhari began his illustrious career by co-founding Radio Turf, the first campus-based radio station to be licensed by the IBA. Today he is an established expert in communications and marketing. As chairman of The Communications Firm (TCF), he has extended his skills to a variety of government, parastatal and corporate clients.

Formal Qualifications include a B.A. (Psychology) and HED from the University of the North; a PR Diploma from PRISA; and a Diploma in International Education from Bard (New York). He also brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience, having worked globally as a producer, deputy programme manager and radio talk show host. More recently, he has come to the fore in the corporate arena.

He co-founded TCF in 2000 and MSG Afrika Investment Holdings in 2002. MSG is an investment company with interests in media, communications and related sectors; through which Given is invested in and serves on the board of a number of companies in the industry. As an expert on economic development and social reform issues, Given enhances our effective strategic programming. He is an asset to both TCF and the industry as a whole.

 

Bonnke Shipalana, Chief Executive Officer.

With over a decade of specialisation in strategic marketing and communication, brand management, trade and sales operation, innovation and new production development; Bonnke has brought his considerable skills and talent as a marketing professional to bear as CEO of The Communications Firm (TCF). His marketing and communications career was build at immanent local and international companies, the likes of: SABMiller, PepsiCo and Cell C. He is a future-focussed individual whose dedication to a brighter tomorrow is evidenced by his serving as the founder of Power of 1, which is an organisation with a mission to inspire and build next generation of leaders. At TCF, he is valued as a key player with foresight, dedication and broad experience. 

 

Sen Mdhluli, Managing Director.

Sen has a depth of marketing experience, which started at SAA in the1990’s. He has expertise in both sales and marketing, which was gained from working for multinational companies with the likes of Gillette SA, SAB, Coca-Cola SA, and MTN. At these companies he held positions in sales, brand management and strategic marketing.

In 2001, Sen left the corporate world to pursue an entrepreneurial opportunity in the consultancy environment. He has consulted on various clients, with provincial, national, regional and global presence. His key deliverables were primarily in the areas of strategy development, branding and communication. Sen holds a B.Com (Accounting) degree from the National University of Lesotho.  He also has an MBA degree from Bond University. He brings a wealth of experience in understanding business and the communications discipline, having been both a client and a consultant.

 

Zama Poswa, Branding and Design Director.

Zama exhibits a unique set of skills and a wealth of experience in the Marketing and Advertising, Communications and Event Management fields. Through her career she has actively been involved in the implementation of advertising strategies for a broad spectrum of brands including the re-branding of Modex Cosmetics brand, “Black Chic”. This included re-packaging as well as marketing, communications and strategic development for the revitalisation of the brand into the market place.  Zama later moved on to manage corporate client communications, client retention management as well as internal communications for a leading short-term insurer and its subsidiaries. Following a stint in the events arena, she also gained experience in the direct marketing space. She then moved on to join The Communications Firm, where she has managed a range of projects including Fanta’s “So you think you are Funny” comedy reality TV show along with the company’s corporate identity and marketing channels.

 

Caroline Dube, Event Management Director.

Caroline Dube joined The Communications Firm (TCF) to focus on and explore her passion in the events management arena. Having acquired a PRISA 3 year diploma in Public Relations, she began her career working for Anglo American Plc in the Treasury department, and later moved to Kagiso Trust to work with SMMEs.

With her energies redirected towards her true passion, Caroline manages a host of clients under the Events Management portfolio. She has successfully been involved in an array of international and local projects that include The 18th World petroleum Congress, The People’s Assembly, The Nedbank Golf Challenge and a host of conferences, gala dinners and high-profile events.