Zandile Funde

I’m a communications and digital marketing professional with experience in social media management, community management, content strategy, market research, and digital storytelling. My background spans education, communications, and marketing, giving me a strong foundation in audience engagement, research, writing, and translating ideas into clear, purposeful communication.

I enjoy helping brands understand their audiences, strengthen their online presence, and communicate more effectively across digital platforms. My work includes content planning, copywriting, competitor and trend research, brand messaging, community engagement, and developing content ideas that align with business objectives. I also have experience with digital tools and AI-assisted workflows to support research, ideation, and more efficient content processes.

I bring a combination of creativity, analytical thinking, organisation, and attention to detail to every project. Whether I’m supporting a brand’s social media presence, researching a market, developing content, or helping streamline digital marketing activities, my focus is on producing thoughtful, well-researched work that serves a clear purpose and helps businesses connect with the right people.

Personal Brand & Social Media Strategist | Miss SA Top 19 Contestant

Freelance | July 2026 – Present

Develop personal brand content and social media strategy for a Miss South Africa 2026 candidate and candidate architect advocating for affordable housing, youth opportunities and women in STEM.

Develop content pillars connecting personal storytelling, faith, professional identity, pageant preparation and social impact through her Empower Youth Africa initiative.

Writing platform-specific captions, campaign messaging and audience engagement copy for Instagram and TikTok, maintaining a consistent personal brand voice.

Plan and organise content across short-form video, Reels, behind-the-scenes footage, personal reflections, advocacy content and milestone announcements.

Translate complex advocacy themes, including housing access, dignity and youth development, into accessible, audience-centred social content.

Support content planning and campaign coordination through structured content calendars, creative direction and content repurposing.

Core skills demonstrated: Personal branding · Social media strategy · Content planning · Copywriting · Brand voice development · Storytelling · Campaign coordination · Audience engagement · Advocacy communications

Social Media Content Strategist | Strategic and Agile

Remote | May 2025 – August 2025

Conduct SEO, market and keyword research to inform content direction, brand voice and community engagement strategies across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Contribute to social listening and sentiment analysis initiatives to refine brand communication and improve audience experience.

Apply audience insights, search trends and content research to support data-informed marketing decisions.

Community Manager | KANAKA

Remote | August 2024 – October 2024

Managed Facebook and X community channels, responding to customer queries, comments and messages while maintaining brand voice.

Coordinated customer communications across social media, call centres and WhatsApp groups, maintaining a centralised customer query spreadsheet.

Monitored audience conversations and recurring enquiries to support customer experience, online reputation and community engagement.

Freelance Market Research Specialist | Today Brand Studio

Remote | 2021

Conducted SEO and market research across the travel and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors.

Developed detailed ideal customer personas using qualitative research to inform audience understanding and campaign planning.

Analysed research findings and presented strategic insights to inform client launch strategies, target-market decisions and business objectives.

Freelance Social Media Manager / Strategist | Eighteen26 Restaurant

Eastern Cape | November 2022 – January 2023

Developed and implemented the restaurant's initial social media strategy, from content ideation to execution.

Created copy and curated visual assets to strengthen brand visibility, audience engagement and digital presence.

Conducted SEO and trend research to identify relevant content opportunities and inform growth strategies.

Managed online reputation and audience interactions through timely responses and consistent community engagement.

English Language Teacher | Kuyasa Combined School

October 2023 – June 2024

Managed lesson planning, curriculum delivery, assessment and grading for English Home Language.

Coordinated learner administration, instructional planning and assessment processes to support academic objectives.

Adapted communication and learning materials to different audience needs, strengthening skills in planning, content development and explaining complex information clearly.

Humanities Faculty E-Technologist / Social Media Coordinator | Nelson Mandela University

Remote | 2020

Supported audiovisual media production, online training and digital learning facilitation.

Created written and social media content for the Humanities Faculty's Instagram and Facebook platforms.

Analysed social media insights and prepared reports to support digital communication and engagement.

Researched and supported the launch of the faculty's first WhatsApp chatbot to improve access to information and student communication.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)

University of the Witwatersrand | 2022

English (SP/FET) / Practical Application

• BA Honours in Applied Languages

Nelson Mandela University | 2015

Translation Studies, English Language Studies, Research and Thesis Writing

• BA in Media, Communication and Culture

Nelson Mandela University | 2011–2014

Media Studies, Communications, Magazine Design, Linguistics, Writing and Digital Media Publishing

Relevant certificates

Fundamentals of Digital Marketing

Google Digital Garage

March 2021

Additional professional training

• Digital Film School Africa / Ghana YMCA, Screenwriting Course, completed with an overall mark of 88%.