Cecil Saul

Motivated and experienced community development and public-sector professional with extensive experience in local government, community liaison, municipal services, housing matters, youth development, stakeholder engagement and community outreach, combined with valuable experience in the mining and minerals sector. My experience across both the municipal and mining environments has developed my understanding of community needs, local economic development, stakeholder engagement and the importance of aligning organisational initiatives with community priorities. I have experience working with communities, identifying needs, coordinating programmes, handling enquiries and complaints, facilitating meetings, reporting to management and supporting initiatives aimed at improving local economic and social outcomes.

Community Liaison Officer - Matizikama Municipality - Western Cape, South Africa

(2010-01 - 2026-01)

Responsible for community liaison, municipal service-related enquiries, community engagement and administrative support relating to municipal programmes and services.

• Liaise with communities regarding municipal services, development matters and community needs.
• Handle and respond to community enquiries, complaints and service-related matters, ensuring issues are referred to the appropriate municipal departments.
• Assist with the implementation of municipal policies relating to credit control and compassionate subsidies, particularly in supporting vulnerable and poor households.
• Assist the Department with housing-related matters, including community liaison and administrative support.
• Conduct community engagement to identify local needs and priorities.
• Organise and facilitate meetings to communicate new legislation, municipal initiatives and development-related information.
• Assist in identifying and recruiting unemployed youth for development and outreach initiatives.
• Coordinate and support community outreach programmes.
• Liaise with community structures, municipal departments and other stakeholders.
• Assist with identifying opportunities that support community and local economic development.
• Conduct research and gather information relating to housing and vacant land.
• Prepare reports and communicate community-related matters to municipal management and Council.
• Support initiatives aimed at improving communication between the municipality and communities.
• Assist in resolving community concerns through effective communication, referral and stakeholder coordination.

BI Agent / Operator - Exxaro Namakwa Sands / Mining Environment

(2007-01 - 2010-12)

Worked in a mining and operational environment with responsibilities covering business improvement, productivity, operational compliance, safety and team performance.

• Identify opportunities to improve operational performance and productivity.
• Establish working groups and teams to address business improvement opportunities.
• Set targets and identify performance gaps within operational sections.
• Monitor and evaluate progress against agreed targets.
• Support initiatives aimed at reducing costs and improving productivity.
• Motivate teams and contribute to positive changes in workplace attitudes and performance.
• Identify and support small improvement projects.
• Operate rail trucks and locomotives in accordance with operational requirements.
• Conduct daily inspections and support maintenance requirements within the shunting yard.
• Adhere strictly to train operating procedures, health and safety requirements and operational systems.
• Work with SAP systems.
• Develop and implement operational timetables.
• Conduct inductions and assist with high-performance initiatives.
• Compile reports and present business improvement information to management/board structures.
• Work effectively with multidisciplinary teams in a demanding mining environment.

Field Supervisor - Statistics South Africa

(2004-01 - 2006-12)

Worked as a Field Supervisor responsible for field research, household visits, data collection and supervision of field teams.

• Conduct research relating to households and vacant land.
• Identify and outline household boundaries.
• Engage with farm owners and community members.
• Distribute and complete questionnaires.
• Conduct household visits and field investigations.
• Supervise and support field teams.
• Compile reports and communicate field findings.
• Ensure field activities were completed according to project requirements.

Advanced Certificate in Management Studies - Management - MANCOSA (2024-01 - 2027-01)

Short Course - Community Development - University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Short Course - South African Public Sector: Structures, Functions and Finance - University of the Western Cape (UWC) (2021-09 - 2021-12)