Lusanda Ndoko

I am a strategic communicator with 16 years of comprehensive experience, including six years in middle management. Currently, I serve in the Gauteng Premier's Office as an Acting Deputy Director of Stakeholder Relations, a position I have held for the past two years, along with responsibilities in Events Management. In this role, I engage regularly with diverse stakeholders across provincial, local, and national government, as well as the private sector and civil society.

My expertise encompasses developing stakeholder engagement plans, drafting concept documents, and effectively implementing project plans. I have successfully executed and activated campaigns, managed stakeholder relations and reputation, coordinated events, and handled strategic communication, protocol, media liaison, and budgeting for various projects. Additionally, I oversee human capital management by providing leadership and guidance to ensure team members understand organizational policies, goals, and objectives.

I coordinate performance agreements aligned with approved Annual Performance Plans, ensuring that performance standards are met in a manner that aligns with the organization's vision and objectives. This involves organizing workflows and delegating tasks to ensure clarity and accountability. I am also involved in financial management within the directorate, contributing to budget planning through demand forecasts, preparing financial reports, and allocating resources to support the department's objectives effectively.

Throughout my career, I have gained invaluable stakeholder relations and management experience through involvement in high-profile programs such as the Presidential Inauguration, State of the Province Address, Africa Infrastructure Forum, Presidential Infrastructure Development Programme, Energy Expo, Smart Mobility Summit, South Africa Investment Summit, G20 outreach programs, and the Provincial Public Participation Programs (Imbizo). I have also facilitated sector-specific stakeholder engagements through civic education open days and expo awareness initiatives, sharing government information with the public.

Acting Deputy Director: Communications, Stakeholder Management and Events - Office of the Premier (Gauteng) - Gauteng, South Africa

(2024-01)

Development Communication and stakeholder engagement. Report Writing in PowerPoint and Word Documents.

• Drive and coordinate GPG public participation programs to address key delivery challenges effectively.
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relations by facilitating direct interactions between government entities and stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder consultation processes to ensure inclusive and transparent engagement.
• Contribute to the development of communications and stakeholder management frameworks and strategies to support strategic objectives.
• Develop supporting plans for Marketing, Communications, and Stakeholder Management departments to ensure the successful execution of strategic goals.
• Oversee the implementation of plans by developing and allocating operational activities across GPG departments, ensuring alignment with operational targets.
• Liaise with local government to foster participation and cooperation in stakeholder initiatives.
• Establish task teams and coordinate stakeholders' meetings to promote effective collaboration.
• Develop mobilisation plans and strategies to drive stakeholder participation and engagement and create action plans, events matrix, and checklists to ensure organized execution of programmes.
• Execute GPG event plans, including logistics, coordination, and management of virtual programmes.
• Chair inter-governmental forum meetings to promote collaboration across departments and levels of government and Coordinate GPG departmental communication cluster forums to enhance internal coordination.
• Well-coordinated Open Day Programme, Provision of essential services by Government departments.
• Participation by Local Government and Liaison with all three spheres of Government.
• Assist with event management and logistics.
• Coordinate project management and support services to ensure smooth delivery of stakeholder initiatives.
• Manage event budgets and financial projections to ensure cost-effective execution.
• Oversee logistical arrangements for events, including venue setup, branding, and virtual platform coordination.
• Develop event marketing plans to maximize outreach and stakeholder participation.
• Coordinate venue booking and branding activities to ensure consistent presentation and drive and coordinate stakeholder engagement initiatives such as conferences and business meetings.
• Utilize technology to improve stakeholder engagement and streamline communication processes.
• Manage and coordinate GPG exhibitions and expos to showcase initiatives and foster stakeholder participation.
• Oversee the GPG events and stakeholder management calendar for seamless scheduling and execution.
• Driving Informed Decision-Making Managers analyze and synthesize raw data such as financial audits, performance metrics, or project status reports and present clear, objective insights to support strategic choices.
• Standardizing Communication Managers tailor reports to suit different audiences, whether frontline staff, department heads, or C-suite executives.
• Promoting Accountability and Providing Reference Reports serve as official records that foster accountability within teams.
• Problem Identification and Resolution Well-crafted reports act as early warning systems.

Assistant Director: Stakeholder and Events Management - Office of the Premier (Gauteng) - Gauteng, South Africa

(2018-04 - 2024-03)

Strategic Planning & Engagement, Communication & Liaison, Program & Resource Management, Team Leadership & Governance.

• Develop and implement stakeholder engagement strategies, conduct environmental research, profile stakeholders, and build relationships with partners, community leaders, NGOs, and government agencies.
• Support organizational campaigns with stakeholder insights, address conflicts through negotiation, and prepare reports for senior leadership on engagement outcomes.
• Lead cross-functional projects, ensure they meet deadlines and budgets, and assist in monitoring financial resources allocated to stakeholder initiatives.
• Supervise and mentor staff, oversee performance, and ensure all activities comply with policies, regulations, and governance standards.

Communication Officer Management and Events - Office of the Premier (Gauteng) - Gauteng, South Africa

(2008-10 - 2018-02)

Development Communication and Administration.

• Coordinate public participation programmes.
• Drive stakeholders' engagement programmes to facilitate stakeholder participation and cooperation.
• Organize GPG events and outreach programmes.
• Protocol management.
• Develop plans and produce reports.
• Write minutes.
• Prepare agenda.

Intern Communications Management and Events - Department of Social Development (Gauteng) - Gauteng, South Africa

(2007-07 - 2008-06)

• Assist with coordination of departmental communication programmes.
• Building sustainable relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage stakeholder database.
• Assist with administration function.

Bachelor of Law Degree - Law - UNISA (2025)

National Diploma - Public Relations Management - Walter Sisulu University (2008)

Nyukela Certificate - Public Service SMS Pre-entry Programme - Public Service (2024)

Certificate - Corporate Communication - Wits University (2016)

Certificate - Advance Project Management - Imsimbi College (2016)

Matriculation - Tembisa High School