MDU LOKOTFWAKO
Johannesburg
Summary
I am dedicated to shaping Africa's business landscape, I leverage 15+ years of experience in high-stakes public policy engagements, advocacy, and stakeholder relations across Africa. My expertise spans multiple industries, including private sector apex bodies, tobacco, alcohol, oil, energy, and gas.
Key Strengths:
* Proven track record in managing complex public policy and advocacy risks in multiple industries;
* Expertise in Government Affairs and Stakeholder Relations across Africa;
* Skilled in Reputation Management and Crisis Communications;
* Strong relationships with key Government stakeholders and industry leaders across Africa; and
* Being part of a number of Boards of Directors in key industry associations and companies (including key national/country Steering Committees).
Professional Background:
With a strong foundation in Economics and Statistics (Double Major Degree), I have built a career driving strategic Government Affairs, Stakeholder Relations, Public Policy & Advocacy, and Reputation Management. I have worked with a number organizations, managing high-level engagements and building strategic relationships. My experience spans 19+ countries.
Philosophy:
Teamwork makes the dream work! I believe in collaboration and collective success. Let's connect and shape the future of business in Africa together! #OneTeamOneDream
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Member of the Board of Governors
Fuel Industry Association of South Africa
10.2024 - Current
- Member of the Economic Regulation Committee.
- Member of the Communications and Advocacy Committee.
Founding Partner
Engage To Inspire International (Pty) Ltd
04.2024 - Current
- Non-Executive Director
- Board Member
Regional Head: Corporate Affairs (Africa)
Puma Energy
10.2023 - Current
- Developed and successfully implemented the Corporate Affairs strategy for Africa.
- Increased the company's reputation sentiment and maintained an average of +94% positivity, from less 30% positivity.
Director: Government Affairs & Stakeholder Relations (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini)
South Africa Breweries Anheuser-Busch InBev (SAB AB InBev)
03.2022 - 09.2023
- Successfully led a public advocacy campaign that led to the reduction of a legislated alcohol levy in Lesotho by 50%.
- Developed and successfully implemented a Government Affairs and Stakeholder Relations strategy that saw us move the company from a negative stakeholder perception to a positive one.
Senior Manager: Regulatory Affairs Engagements (South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
01.2021 - 02.2022
- Successfully lobbied for a reduction in tobacco excise rate in Zimbabwe.
- Successfully delayed the adoption of the tobacco legislation in South Africa by having it introduced in NEDLAC.
Non-Executive Director
British American Tobacco Swaziland (Proprietary) Limited
06.2018 - 02.2022
- Played a role in the strategic growth of the Swaziland business.
- Facilitated board meetings, fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders for effective decision-making.
- Served as a trusted advisor to the CEO, providing candid feedback on key matters affecting the organization''s strategic direction and performance.
Senior Manager: Regulatory Affairs Engagements (Mauritius, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
01.2020 - 12.2020
- Successfully led to the development of a modern oral nicotine standard in Zimbabwe to pave way for a legislated approach to having the product sold in the country.
- Successfully developed and implemented a public policy and advocacy strategy which stopped the enactment of a tobacco law in Botswana in 28 days saving the business over £10 million - I was subsequently asked to develop a Playbook for the BAT Group.
Head: Legal & External Affairs (Malawi, Zambia & Zimbabwe)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
10.2017 - 12.2019
- Built a solid team and a clear talent pipeline which contained after my time.
- Successfully lobbied for a maintained excise regime in line with the company plans.
Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Tobacco Empowerment Trust (BATZ TET)
11.2017 - 11.2019
- Successfully implemented all planned projects of the Trust and grew the number of tobacco farmers involved in some of the programmes.
- Built and maintained excellent customer relationships through timely response to inquiries and going above and beyond to accommodate unusual requests.
- Surpassed team goals by partnering with colleagues to implement best practices and protocols.
Manager: Regulatory Engagements (Southern African Customs Union Markets BLNS & SA)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
09.2016 - 09.2017
- Successfully lobbied for Parliament to halt the introduction of Regulations to a tobacco law in Swaziland.
- Managed to negotiate for a less harsher Regulation on the labelling of tobacco products in Namibia.
Manager: Regulatory Engagement (South Africa)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
09.2015 - 08.2016
- Built a solid base of grassroot and third party stakeholders in South Africa.
Manager: Corporate & Regulatory Affairs (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia & Swaziland)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
05.2014 - 08.2015
- Delayed the implementation of Regulations to an Act in Swaziland through a Parliamentary Motion. To date, the Regulations are not in place.
- Managed to bring Lesotho stakeholders on board on not implementing the proposed tobacco levy.
- Managed to remove total expropriation of our tobacco brand in Namibia through Regulations.
Manager: Trade & Commerce
Business Eswatini
01.2013 - 04.2014
- Managed to get the Chamber of Commerce a seat at key National policy making forums.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align business strategies with operational capabilities.
- Improved marketing to attract new customers and promote business.
Research Analyst
Business Eswatini
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Developed comprehensive reports summarizing research findings for stakeholder presentations.
- Led projects assessing economic impacts, contributing to informed decision-making processes.
- Increased client satisfaction by providing customized research solutions tailored to their unique business needs.
Business Development Officer
Business Eswatini
01.2011 - 12.2011
- Led cross-functional teams to implement initiatives that improved client engagement and satisfaction.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and support business objectives.
- Boosted client satisfaction by identifying and addressing their specific needs through tailored business solutions.
Appraisal Clerk (Loans Department)
SwaziBank
10.2010 - 12.2010
- Coordinated communication between departments to resolve customer inquiries swiftly.
- Streamlined document management processes, reducing retrieval time for client files.
- Supported executive decision-making by providing detailed reports and summaries of office activities.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Science (Majoring in Economics and Statistics)
University of Swaziland
01.2010
O'Level Certificate - NQF 4 - undefined
St. Francis' High School
Skills
- Stakeholder Relations
- Government Affairs
- Public Policy and Advocacy
- Reputation Management
- Strategy Development
Affiliations
- Member of the Institute of Stakeholder Relations (IRS)
- Member of TheBoardroom Africa
Awards
- Global Legal & Corporate Affairs Recognition (Global Chief Legal & Corporate Affairs Award), South Africa Breweries Anheuser-Busch InBev (SAB AB InBev), 2023
- Business Unit South Recognition (CEO Award), South Africa Breweries Anheuser-Busch InBev (SAB AB InBev), 2023
- Economic Transformation Committee Member, Black Business Council, 2022
- 2019 Outstanding Business Performance - BAT Zimbabwe Leadership Team, British American Tobacco Zimbabwe (Holdings) Limited, 2019
- Business Consultative Committee Member, Swaziland Revenue Authority, 2012 – 2014
Training
- Corporate Affairs Excise Programme, Gordon Institute of Business Science - GIBS, Sep 2022
- Advanced Training on Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, Responsible Packaging Management Association of Southern Africa - RPMASA, Dec 2020
- Legal & External Affairs Excellence Programme, British American Tobacco - BAT, Dec 2018
- Effective Lobbying & Advocacy Towards an Enabling Environment for Sustainable Enterprises, International Labour Organisation - ILO, Dec 2014
- Linking Trade Promotion Organisations & National Standards Bodies for Export Success, International Trade Centre - ITC, Dec 2013
- Identifying Export Opportunities with Market Analysis Tools, International Trade Centre - ITC, Oct 2012
- Proposal Writing for European Union Calls for Proposals, European Union, Nov 2011
References
Available on request
Timeline
Member of the Board of Governors
Fuel Industry Association of South Africa
10.2024 - Current
Founding Partner
Engage To Inspire International (Pty) Ltd
04.2024 - Current
Regional Head: Corporate Affairs (Africa)
Puma Energy
10.2023 - Current
Director: Government Affairs & Stakeholder Relations (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini)
South Africa Breweries Anheuser-Busch InBev (SAB AB InBev)
03.2022 - 09.2023
Senior Manager: Regulatory Affairs Engagements (South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
01.2021 - 02.2022
Senior Manager: Regulatory Affairs Engagements (Mauritius, Tanzania, South Africa and Zimbabwe)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
01.2020 - 12.2020
Non-Executive Director
British American Tobacco Swaziland (Proprietary) Limited
06.2018 - 02.2022
Secretary to the Board of Trustees
Tobacco Empowerment Trust (BATZ TET)
11.2017 - 11.2019
Head: Legal & External Affairs (Malawi, Zambia & Zimbabwe)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
10.2017 - 12.2019
Manager: Regulatory Engagements (Southern African Customs Union Markets BLNS & SA)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
09.2016 - 09.2017
Manager: Regulatory Engagement (South Africa)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
09.2015 - 08.2016
Manager: Corporate & Regulatory Affairs (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia & Swaziland)
British American Tobacco (BAT)
05.2014 - 08.2015
Manager: Trade & Commerce
Business Eswatini
01.2013 - 04.2014
Research Analyst
Business Eswatini
01.2012 - 12.2012
Business Development Officer
Business Eswatini
01.2011 - 12.2011
Appraisal Clerk (Loans Department)
SwaziBank
10.2010 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Social Science (Majoring in Economics and Statistics)
University of Swaziland
O'Level Certificate - NQF 4 - undefined
St. Francis' High School
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