Henda Oelofse

Most of my career has revolved around helping teams communicate more clearly, consistently, and effectively across fast-moving projects and workflows. My background spans agency, consulting, in-house, and freelance roles, where I've worked across communications coordination, stakeholder engagement, content refinement, and brand-aligned delivery. More recently, my work has included SEO-led copy editing and interpreting detailed content frameworks while ensuring the final output still reads naturally and aligns with the brand's tone.

I'm particularly interested in the evolving role of AI in content production, especially identifying and refining the formulaic patterns and rhythms that make copy feel overly mechanical or generic. I enjoy work that brings together communication, structure, problem-solving, and people, with a strong focus on clarity, quality, and thoughtful delivery.

Copy Coordinator & Editor at The Yovth (2026-01 – 2026-04)

• Content Refinement: Managed the structural oversight of blog content across multiple client projects, ensuring all output maintained a natural, readable tone that bypassed generic linguistic patterns.
• Framework Interpretation: Translated detailed SEO frameworks into high-quality narratives, balancing technical visibility with brand-aligned storytelling.
• Editorial Standards: Reviewed, refined, and rewrote website copy to improve clarity, flow, and tone while approving SEO-optimised updates.
• Workflow Coordination: Collaborated with SEO and project teams to sense-check topics and coordinate freelancers from the initial brief through to final review and layout integration.

Projects & Client Relations at Breinstorm Brand Architects (2024-11 – 2025-05)

• Project Flow: Collaborated with creative and management teams to ensure the seamless delivery of integrated brand communication and design projects.
• Coordination: Utilised Asana to track progress, manage deadlines, and improve overall team synchronisation.
• Client Liaison: Served as the primary point of contact, managing expectations and ensuring project alignment with strategic goals.
• Capacity Management: Oversaw project traffic and resource allocation to meet timelines consistently.

Communications Consultant, Owner at Coax PR and Communications (2018-02 – 2025-05)

• Brand Strategy: Led a diverse portfolio of projects for SMMEs and NGOs, focusing on brand redevelopment, strategy, content creation, and web design.
• Mentorship: Successfully mentored two teams of junior social media coordinators as part of the Groen Sebenza internship programme.
• Sector Versatility: Collaborated with clients across outdoor living, landscape design, healthcare, education, hospitality, and wellness tourism.
• Brand Execution: Managed cohesive brand roll-outs across digital and print platforms, translating client goals into high-quality project outcomes.

Chief Digital Operations Officer at Bastion & Flowe Digital Command Center (2023-09 – 2024-08)

• Operational Leadership: Led a 24/7 digital operation, focusing on capacity planning, recruitment, and ensuring adherence to strict client SLAs.
• Traffic Management: Represented the team in daily sessions to identify potential bottlenecks and facilitate resource management.
• Strategic Support: Oversaw performance marketing campaigns and acted as the primary contact for team leaders to address technical and operational issues.

Acting Head of Corporate Communications (Maternity Cover) at Kishugu Holdings (2016-03 – 2016-05)

• Quality Adherence: Led the corporate communications team, overseeing the preparation of circulars, social media, and newsletters.
• Partnership Coordination: Proactively coordinated with external partners and motivated the team to achieve key performance indicators.

Communications Manager at Landworks™ (formerly Kishugu NPC) (2014-05 – 2018-01)

Managed the overarching communications strategy, focusing on complex advocacy and awareness messaging across both print and digital channels.

• Channel & Publication Oversight: Maintained the NPC's full suite of communication channels, including the website and social media, and saw a comprehensive industry handbook from initial review through to final publication.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Fostered strong, effective relationships with diverse stakeholders to ensure project goals and community needs remained aligned.
• Operational Flow: Enhanced internal communication processes and facilitated workshops to better support project workflows and team collaboration.
• Event Support: Provided strategic communication support for organisational events, ensuring consistent brand presence and messaging.

Communications Manager at Kishugu NPC (2014-05 – 2016-12)

Directed communication efforts for this UNDP-funded project (GEF FynbosFire Project), ensuring strategic alignment between international goals and local project execution.

• Global Stakeholder Alignment: Directed communication efforts for this UNDP-funded project, ensuring strategic alignment between international goals and local project execution.
• Advocacy & Awareness: Developed targeted messaging for communities on the wildland-urban interface, specifically regarding wildfire risk and prevention.
• Media & Crisis Management: Managed the project's digital platforms and facilitated media placement while providing critical crisis communication standby during fire seasons.
• Stakeholder Mentorship: Mentored staff from partner organisations, including the Fire Protection Association, to effectively disseminate advocacy messages to their specific communities.
• Research Coordination: Coordinated the publication of key project materials, including the synthesis and dissemination of extensive research findings from partners such as the CSIR.

Global Environment Facility (GEF) FynbosFire Project Officer at Kishugu NPC (2013-07 – 2014-04)

I was placed with the Fire Protection Association to establish and lead an initiative to build advocacy and awareness-raising capacity within sensitive communities.

• Infrastructure Development: Built the foundational communication infrastructure required to manage internal and external public engagement across the Western Cape.
• Foundational Role: Successfully managed public awareness communications, which served as the foundation for my subsequent promotion to Communications Manager.

Compliance, Events and Communications Administrator at PepsiCo International (2011-02 – 2013-01)

• Executive Support: Provided high-level administrative support, including complex travel logistics and calendar management for senior leadership.
• Internal Comms: Supported the HR and Communications teams with onboarding and internal circulars.
• Event Logistics: Played a key role in managing logistics and entertainment for PepsiCo International's annual gala event.

Event Manager at BeeMatters Events & Communications (2009-11 – 2010-08)

• Brand Custodianship: Served as the primary guardian for the Etisalat (now e&) brand during a high-profile, 10-day product activation at the Mall of the Emirates, ensuring all verbal and visual messaging remained consistent and impactful.
• Team Leadership: Managed and trained a dedicated team of brand promoters, focusing on message delivery, professional conduct, and engagement quality.
• Operational Oversight: Conducted rigorous quality checks on-site and coordinated logistics to ensure the seamless execution of the campaign in a high-traffic environment.
• Data & Reporting: Captured and synthesised high-level campaign data, providing stakeholders with actionable insights into consumer engagement and activation performance.

Bachelor's Degree in Communication Science – University of South Africa

Certification in Social Media Marketing – University of Cape Town