A smiling woman with dreadlocks standing in front of a background featuring a 3D cube pattern.

Siphokazi Gwamanda is a seasoned marketing professional with more than 20 years of experience driving business growth, elevating brand equity, and shaping marketing strategy across multiple industries. She holds an MBA from Glyndŵr University (UK) and completed the Executive Development Programme at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Her career spans blue-chip brand leadership at The Coca-Cola Company and PPC Cement, regional account leadership across Southern Africa, and independent strategic consulting, including securing an R200 million project for Rothe Plantscapers.

Destination Marketing Consultant (Africa)

Ms Siphokazi Gwamanda

Areas of expertise

  • Brand Development & Positioning

  • Marketing Strategy & Execution

  • Integrated Marketing Communications

  • Digital & Social Media Strategy

  • Project & Campaign Management

  • New Product Development

  • Stakeholder & Client Relations

  • Budgeting & P&L Management

  • Cross-functional Team Leadership

  • Business Development & Growth Strategy

  • Directed the repositioning of Sprite in collaboration with global artist Drake, a campaign adopted as a template across Coca-Cola business units worldwide.

  • Secured the naming rights for Newlands Cricket Stadium, Cape Town, through high-level sponsorship negotiations for PPC Cement.

  • Launched a national PPC campaign during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, delivering record-breaking sales during the activation period.

  • Helped develop Coca-Cola's defence strategy against Pepsi Max's South African market entry, launching the 'BEAT' campaign in under three weeks.

  • Managed key accounts for DStv Compact (South Africa) and P&G brands across Zambia, Mozambique and Namibia, growing market share and customer engagement.

  • Pioneered inner-city building murals as an advertising medium for Sprite, setting a trend rapidly adopted by competitors.

Career Highlights

Education

  • Executive Development Programme, University of Stellenbosch Business School (2021)

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA), Glyndŵr University, UK (2013)

  • IMM Diploma in Marketing, IMM Graduate School of Marketing (2009)

  • National Diploma in Food Technology, Durban University of Technology (1999)