Wanda appointed managing executive of corporate services

Wanda Mkutshulwa, the previous head of communications has been appointed as the new managing executive of corporate services at SAN Parks.

She assumes this new position with a strong communications management background, as her role for nearly 10 years included tackling some of the complex topics Wanda Mkutshulwa in the field as well as firmly establishing a reputable standing for SANParks both locally and internationally.

Her philosophy is that the organisation is well run and prides itself on having capable managers. "I look forward to being part of a team that is going to take SAN Parks to even greater heights." "The exposure that it has given me over the past 10 years has been enormous."

She said the emphasis on excellent corporate governance coupled with sound financial management, involved human capital made up of all of the staff at SANParks, and 1 k dedication in fulfilling the set mandate of SANParks would be a guiding principle into the future. "Colleagues Corporate Services is born, we all need to nurture it and treat it as our very own. Let us, with all hands on the deck, get it to work."

Mkutshulwa sharpened her theoretical skills at the well-acclaimed Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape town of Grahamstown, where she was also a student activist. She first completed a BJourn followed by a post-graduate diploma in international relations as well as a BA honours in political science/ international relations at the same institution.

Born and bred in Mthatha she prefers writing her name in small caps. To this day this writer still does not know why she follows the unusual small caps practice. Her love for journalism and writing saw her playing a role in the production of various publications while at Rhodes.

Among others she used her soothing baritone voice reading news for Rhodes Music Radio if she was not chasing stories for the student newspaper which was called Rhodeo (later Activate) as well as a short stint at the Daily Dispatch. Her first formal job was at the Western District Municipality Council in Port Elizabeth where she assumed a position of an international relations practitioner.

Her love for the media saw her take a job at the SABC as the current affairs producer for a Xhosa radio medium, the Umhlobo Wenene FM. This mover and shaker traded her position at SABC for a regional communications officer position at the Regional Land Claims Commission in the Eastern Cape.

From there she spread her wings further becoming the national communications coordinator in the Land Claims Commission based in the capital, Pretoria. In January 2003, she was appointed head of corporate communications at SANParks, a position she will fondly miss. I look forward to being part of a team that is going to take SANParks to even greater heights Wanda Mkutshulwa.

By: Reynold Thakhuli

Source: SAN PARKS TIMES