BONISWA PEZISA

Executive director at Mediology

She’s an activist, respected leader in the brand and communications industry, and an advocate for transformation and corporate activism. Boniswa Pezisa describes herself as a township girl who joined the marketing, advertising, and communications profession in the mid80s with a simple Business Administration Diploma. Trained by communications doyen Chris Burlock, who assigned her on diverse assignments – from obtaining consumer insights to running various accounts and eventing projects – this opened doors for Boniswa to work on various accounts both as a marketer and communicator in industries ranging from financial services, FMCG, petro-chem, gaming, hotel to broadcasting, telecoms, country branding and beverage, amongst others.

Throughout her journey, Boniswa has learnt the importance of:

• Curiosity and its empowering attributes,

• Being an active student of one’s craft,

• The power of collaboration which later became “Collaborating with Love” as her ethos,

• Being gratitude-powered by giving and paying it forward,

• Using every set-back as a stepping stone to the next growth chapter,

• The value of friendships, partnerships, sisterhood and networking with intention,

• And being grounded in a spiritual campus and learning to find joy in serving.

Boniswa has been privileged to be given opportunities to serve, lead and coach in various structures and bodies – from participating in informal programmes such as the Abakhethwa Talent Development Programme and Advertising Standards Consumer Committees that serve the advertising profession; to chairing bodies like the Association for Communication and Advertising of South Africa (ACASA) and The Loeries Awards.

Boniswa has partnered with other creative minds in the transformation of their sector and the development of young talent. She describes her time in business as one of joy and love because of her great business partnership – notably her Net#work BBDO partners of 25 years, who gave her a chance to study further; serve in both the profession and outside; and flying the flag of humanity whilst delivering results.

Her new chapter with Mediology, whose “Smart with Heart” approach to business has fuelled her renewed energy every day, as well as the partnership with ACASA and the AAA School of Advertising to work side-by-side with Clarity Coaching in the coaching of 75 Black female leaders in her profession. Even today, Boniswa is still serving joyously, and wearing the crown of her 2020 Loeries Hall of Fame Induction.