PROFESSIONAL BIO

My career started in 1990 at SABreweries where I worked in the Research and Development department. During this period of my career, I was involved in the research, development and launch of two brands, Castle Lite and Redds Apple Cider. I then moved to manufacture and operations at Rosslyn Brewery where I ran the Brewhouse and also completed my associate membership of the Institute of Brewing from the UK.
I left SAB and joined Coca-Cola Southern Africa to further pursue my newfound love “ Marketing”. I was appointed Market Development Manager where I was responsible for market development and franchise management for Coca-Cola Fountain and Vending business.
I left COCA-COLA and joined SAA and managed the Voyager loyalty program as well as Head of Marketing responsible for relationship marketing, brand, communications and market research.
I left SAA to pursue my entrepreneurship calling and started a Market Research company called SMRC Marketing Solutions. After trials and tribulations, I went back to the corporate environment in 2004 as Marketing Director of Uthingo Management ( The first operator of the South African National Lottery) where I was responsible for brand marketing and market research.
In 2007 I ventured into entrepreneurship and started an Out Of Home media company called The Marketing Kraal. In 2009, I started a Marketing Consultancy called Lesaka Marketing which runs Consulting and Mentorship programs for Entrepreneurs. In 2012, I founded Lebona Investments, an investment company that invests mainly in property and property development. In 2017, I joined Z.A.ZEN, a specialized Consulting firm as an associate consultant and mentor. In 2018, I founded Jala Foundation, a youth entrepreneurship initiative to nurture and encourage entrepreneurship among high school learners and youth. In 2019 I founded Mohope Brewing Co to enter the challenging but exciting South African craft beer market.

MBA – Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support