Amanda Bacela

I am currently a hands-on Communications & Marketing Specialist at the Border-Kei Chamber of Busines with experience spanning from business and corporate, automotive and member-focused environments within the Chamber. Skilled in integrated marketing, brand communication, digital content, stakeholder engagement, event marketing and campaign execution. I am Currently responsible for communications and marketing at the Border-Kei Chamber of Business,

Cashier at Cambridge Spar (2008-07 – 2008-12)

Sales assistant at Milady’s Clothing Store, Vincent (2010-01 – 2013-01)

Banqueting Waitron; Hotel restaurant Waitron at Hemingways Mall and Casino (2014-06 – 2015-01)

Barrister at Barkulcha Cafe and Cigar lounge (2015-12 – 2017-08)

Debt Collections consultant at DMC Debt Management (2018-10 – 2019)

Trainee Sales Executive at Meyers Motors (2020 – 2023)

Experience in a automotive environment, with exposure to customer engagement, brand communication, brand positioning and industry-focused marketing. Worked within a structured corporate environment requiring professional communication, attention to detail, customer focus and alignment with brand standards. Developed practical understanding of automotive customers, corporate brand environments and the importance of consistent market positioning.

• Selling Cars
• Cold Calling
• Setup Exhibitions

Marketing Co-ordinator at Meyers Motors (2021 – 2023-12)

• Social Media Marketing and managing 10 Facebook Pages and an Instagram accounts.
• 10 Google my business accounts management
• Website (back-end management and editing, blogging, updating website and keeping it up to date, linking social media content to website campaigns)
• Briefing in adverts Artwork and Copy
• Creating Newsletters and Monthly Mailers
• Taking photos at events
• Event organising, setup and breakdown.
• Social Media Content creation and scheduling
• Meta Business management
• Plannable (social media scheduling and management of content)
• Facebook Creator Studio (scheduling and management of content)
• HubSpot (CRM management)
• Pinnacle (CRM management)
• Netdirector (Web development and management Application)
• Photography and social media content

Communications & Marketing Specialist at Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB) (2024 – Present)

• Lead day-to-day communications and marketing activity across the Chamber’s digital, email, website, print and stakeholder-facing channels.
• Develop and execute marketing campaigns that promote Chamber programmes, events, business opportunities, member services and economic-development initiatives.
• Create high-quality copy and creative briefs for social media, newsletters, media statements, advertising, business profiles, event communications and promotional campaigns.
• Manage content planning and publishing across social platforms, adapting messaging to increase reach, engagement and conversion.
• Support the positioning and promotion of major initiatives including The Entrepreneur 2026 – Buffalo City Edition, E-Monti Money, the Africa Agricultural Indaba, Business Awards, NPO Development Programme and business development events.
• Coordinate communications for the annual Business Awards, including finalist communications, promotional content, stakeholder engagement, profiling and ticket/table messaging.
• Develop and coordinate member-facing marketing opportunities, including being editor for the Chamber Business Hi-Lite magazine that is published quarterly, advertising and tailored promotional features.
• Produce performance reports using social media and email analytics to identify trends, measure campaign effectiveness and guide future content decisions.
• Work closely with leadership, committees, partners, sponsors, members, media and external stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and brand representation.
• Support website and web-content updates, digital campaigns and other ad hoc marketing and communications requirements.
• Built campaign content around entrepreneurship and SME development, including awareness, application, engagement and event-build-up campaigns.
• Supported communications for a business accelerator delivered in partnership with Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), showcasing participating entrepreneurs and their businesses.
• Developed campaign concepts and content structures for E-Monti Money, including social media, influencer engagement, partner communications, application drives and event promotion.
• Helped strengthen the Chamber’s ongoing digital presence through consistent storytelling, business profiling, campaign content and performance tracking.

High School in English (home language), Xhosa (first additional), Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Life Orientation – Cambridge High School (2009)

Digital Marketing Online Short Course in Introduction to digital marketing

• Web design and development
• Web analytics
• SEO (Search engine optimisation basics)
• Online copywriting
• Online advertising and PPC
• Social Media and Web PR
• Email marketing
• Mobile marketing
• Digital marketing strategy – UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN (2023-01 – 2023-11)

Bachelor of Economics (Business Sciences) in Accounting 1

• Commercial law 1
• Computer Literacy
• Statistics and Theory of Finance
• Economics: 1 & 2(Micro and Macro, Mathematical Economics 1 and 2) and 3 (Public Finance, Labour Economics, International Trade Theory and Policy, Money Banking and International Finance, Micro & Macroeconomic theory), Econometrics
• Information Systems: level 1 (Essentials of IT, Introduction to Programming for Business) and level 2 (Business Analysis, Databases)
• Business Management: level 1 & level 2 (Operations Management, Marketing and Human Resources) and 3 (Financial Management, Business Research, Strategic Management) – UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE (2019-03-04)

Bachelor of Business Administration Honours in Human Resources

• Corporate Business Strategy
• Marketing
• Quantitative Research Methodology
• Honours Research
• Accounting and Financial Management
• Supply Chain Management – MANCOSA (2024-01)