Through the Glare of mentorship: How Mandlakazi Mpahlwa illuminates the path for future PR leaders.



In an industry where innovation, creativity and influence are paramount, Mandlakazi Mpahlwa not only stands out as a leading figure in public relations but also shines as a mentor, dedicated to guiding the next generation of PR professionals through her visionary leadership and unwavering of her team.



Mandlakazi Mpahlwa: Joe Public Engage Managing director 


 

 

It’s fascinating for me to have experienced Joe Public, a 360 communication agency. As an integrated brand, marketing and communication group, Joe Public is where you will find enthusiastic creatives, tacticians and polymaths of which Mandlakazi Mpahlwa is a part of. She heads the public relations business of Joe public as an MD of Joe Public Engage. It provides exceptional PR services to clients across all industries, including Joe Public as an organisation,  Industries like healthcare, insurance, telecommunications and energy. 

Mandlakazi is an award-winning corporate affairs and regulatory affairs executive with over 20 years of experience in the private and public sector. If you want a PR campaign that builds, grows and protects your brands, her intervention is worth aligning with as her exposure covers insurance, advertising, automotive, manufacturing, FMCG, local and national government. I mean no one can make this up, she is good at what she does and me observing her work ethic has been valuable. I had to catch my breath when I was going through her LinkedIn profile, looking at her diverse portfolio and I have to say that she has earned her way up and continues to stack the ladder for herself, the Joe Public Engage(rs) and their clients. 

 

 Upon her arrival at Joe Public, which is a year ago, she managed to change the gears in inspiring the team and held the fort as they go into creating innovative PR solutions on a daily for their clients. Under her leadership and guidance has resulted to clients coming in and staying with Engage for prosperous relationships. 

 

When I arrived at JP Engage, I found an amazing public relations team that was hands on delivering their promises to clients. I was immediately reeled in and showed the ropes and the tactics through hands on experience and assignments. I also managed to pick some of the PR lingo and today I am proud to be a part of the Engage team. We all look up to Mandlakazi, which in this case when I call her by her first name only, I feel like I am being disrespectful, we all address as her Sis Mandla as we should but personally as the youngest in the team, I see more of a parent in her because of her care and love for the team. I mean wanting to see a team you head healthy, thriving and motivating them to their fullest potential because you know that how far they can go is a parent quality. 

 

I remember my first week, she asked to sit with me so that we can strategise on how I am going to be completing my work integrated learning program and what is expected of me during this period. That was very insightful for me as she and I detailed the aspects of a work integrated learning program and going through the categories one by one with the help the team. That is when words like synergy, divide and conquer felt sweet to say especially being a formal work environment. 

 

I have received so much exposure, extended my level of thinking since I have been at Joe Public and thanks to Sis Mandla, I have met incredible human beings who have pushed me to be open minded, to have an opinion and express myself whether on work related issues or not. These are like chefs to be honest, and sis Mandla is the head chef, cooking strategies, tactics, creative ideas but what different is the recipe is not biased, everyone in the team is welcome to suggest to the head chef a new sauce and pepper. On a random afternoon, Sis Mandla would come out from a meeting with client and give us a briefing or feedback and the team would look at each and say, “the pots are on the stove, Sis Mandla is cooking”. That is when we all know it’s time to cook magic for a client and the Head chef needs all hands-on deck.

 

Everyone would be dedicated to certain roles as per briefing and we would align ourselves with what our goal is, like I said divide and conquer is sweet in these times. We would then revert with our Head chef for updates and a way forward, after few meetings and huddles sometimes back-to-back we would eventually come to a product offer that client cannot hesitate to accept. Just like the Texans cook their brisket for 12 to 18 hours, under Sis Mandla’s guidance we don’t rush the craft, but we push to cook clients' requests to perfection and delivering to client a campaign with measurable impact

 

My role in this as a PR intern  doing his work integrated learning is to carefully observe what steps are taken pre or post briefings and feedback, ask questions where there may be blindsides then complete the tasks I would be assigned to by the senior account executives, the PR gurus - Aurelle Franks, Katleho Makhalemele, Palesa Moerane, Inga Sebata and Kgomotso Maphoto.  I would then revert with feedback based on what I was tasked on, ask if there's any improvements I can make and if my seniors are satisfied with what I have provided them with,  I then observe how they have completed their roles and how all our tasks are going to be integrated to align with what the client wants. In other words, I analyse the whole process from client to us and from us to client which has been cool as I get to play a part as well.

 

One of the roles I took a part in was being assigned to designing some of the artwork that was to be included in a telecommunications client presentation for an upcoming campaign. I had a chance to express my creative designing skills and was working closely with the MD on this. I was so thrilled to hear that the client loved my designs and wants to keep some of them for print and display it in their offices. 

 

Working closely with the team inspired me to think out of the box, stretch my creativeness and have confidence in the path I am choosing to take for my career. PR is a highly paced environment and I managed to create a press release for a client on a last-minute deadline. I then went to a senior account executive for a quick proof reading before the MD can see it and then send to client for publication. That whole process made me reflect on how prepared you have to be for anything that may come your way as a PR professional. Thankfully the MD commented that I did a great job! I am currently working on a performance report video for Joe Public Engage that will be showcased at a monthly office event where all the business entities within the group meet at the rooftop to share their key insights and new members and performance and chat, have a drink, have a laughter! 

 

 

My other responsibilities included reading and analysing current affairs news and other reports to develop a weekly news and insights highlights report. This to ensure our clients are kept up to date with what is being covered by media in their industries. I work closely with one of our Account Executives who’s also responsible for the final layout and design of the report. I’ve been reading a lot of newspapers and articles which is something I have amazed myself of because I have never thought I can be able to gather so much information within a short space of time and one brain! This has also enriched my media list and the journalists’ beats.


Sis Mandla is the kind of mentor that not only clears the path for career success but also gives

her mentees the confidence to shatter stereotypes and redefine expectations in the field. She aims to keep being a catalyst for development and change by imparting her vast expertise, providing steadfast support, and encouraging an innovative and resilient culture. Her impact goes beyond individual careers; she is influencing the PR industry's future and motivating a new generation of leaders to pursue their greatest potential. By honouring and gaining information from this groundbreaking woman, we recognise the critical role that mentoring plays in advancing advancement and promoting excellence in the public relations industry.

The Engage Team: Celebrating a new space in the office building









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