Zinhle Dlamini

I am a creative writer, critical thinker, strategic interviewer and brilliant storyteller. These are skills I have perfected over many years as a journalist in print media, television production and digital storytelling. Beyond interviewing, script writing, editing, I have editorial management experience which involves conceptualising story ideas, supervising a production team, ensuring production quality control and taking overall accountability for on-air content and production delivery.

I also have experience in communications and media relations which includes thought leadership profiling, speech writing and developing communications plans.

Founder and Editor - Maningi Africa

(2025-10)

In October 2025, I founded, Maningi Africa, an online platform that celebrates African trailblazers and visionaries who are transforming their communities through innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration. The page profiles inspiring individuals and topics from across the African continent. Maningi Africa is a contribution to developmental journalism and community building in Africa.

• Research topics, interview newsmakers, write, edit and publish stories

Executive Producer: Cutting Edge - South African Broadcasting Corporation

(2021 - 2024)

• Led a team of six Producers in the editorial and production of Cutting Edge, a news and current affairs programme
• The team won numerous awards during my leadership
• Grew the viewership of the programme by 2% in the first two months of my leadership and maintained its position as the leading current affairs programme in South Africa
• Provided editorial guidance in terms of brainstorming angles, shoots and scripting
• Viewed and approved stories and wrote on-air subtitles
• Maintained a good image of Cutting Edge by creating on-air promos and updated social media platforms

Specialist: Media Relations - MTN Group

(2011 - 2014)

• Served as the first line of contact for journalists interacting with the company
• Co-ordinated communication with communications specialists in the 22 countries within the MTN Group
• Responded to media enquiries and arranged interviews for company executives
• Used various channels to interact with the media and keep them informed about the company's activities. These include press releases, inviting the media to company events, writing thought-leadership articles and arranging media interviews for executives
• Publicised events that were sponsored by the MTN Group by arranging media interviews for beneficiaries
• Produced daily and weekly internal newsletters as well as external quarterly magazines
• Brainstormed, wrote and implemented communication plans in line with the company's annual calendar and any arising activities
• One of the activities on the calendar was the 21 Days of Y'ello Care, an annual CSI campaign across the MTN Group
• Another calendar event was MTN Zakhele, an MTN South Africa public shares initiative
• Arranged meetings between management and staff
• Briefed staff about any changes through internal newsletters
• Drove information campaigns using screensavers and branded merchandise
• Produced content for the company's daily and weekly newsletters
• Invited the media to company annual results announcements
• Wrote speeches for company executives during conferences such as Highway Africa, an annual journalism conference held at Rhodes University
• Wrote speeches for the company CEO

Producer/Journalist - South African Broadcasting Corporation

(2006 - 2011)

Between 2006 and 2011 and then again from 2014 to 2021, I worked for various programmes at the SABC as a Producer/Journalist. These are Kids News, Cutting Edge, Yilungelo Lakho and Special Assignment

• Research topics, interview newsmakers, write scripts, edit packages and documentaries, invite guests to live shows

Producer/Journalist - South African Broadcasting Corporation

(2014 - 2021)

Between 2006 and 2011 and then again from 2014 to 2021, I worked for various programmes at the SABC as a Producer/Journalist. These are Kids News, Cutting Edge, Yilungelo Lakho and Special Assignment

• Research topics, interview newsmakers, write scripts, edit packages and documentaries, invite guests to live shows

Intern Journalist - City Press Newspaper

(2005 - 2006)

• Research topics, interview newsmakers, write articles

Short course - Copy-editing - University of Cape Town

Post-graduate Diploma - Journalism - Rhodes University

Bachelor of Arts - Communication Science - University of Zululand

National Senior Certificate - Maritzburg Coaching School