Communication leader takes office at UJ

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has appointed a new senior manager for strategic communication.

Kaamini Reddy assumed her duties on 1 July. “Her appointment is timely and her skills and experience will facilitate the strategic direction of the institution which has positioned itself as an important player in the higher education arena, both locally and internationally,” said Lesmarie Bentley-Steyn, acting executive director for Institutional Advancement.

“I am excited to occupy the role, particularly at this important time in the country where the developments within the Higher Education arena will most certainly have a significant impact on education in South Africa,” said Reddy.

Reddy was a member of the task team for developing a framework on emergency communication responses with South Africa’s health ministry and the Centre for Disease Control  during the outbreak of the Ebola virus, where she previously held the position of executive manager of communication, marketing and public relations at the National Health Laboratory Service. She was also manager at Bankseta and corporate affairs manager at The International Marketing Council of South Africa.

In addition to her BA Communication degree, Reddy also holds an accreditation of Chartered Practitioner of Public Relations from the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa and has an additional certificate in Foundations of Executive Coaching from the University of Cape Town. She has experience in annual report writing and editing and in the finance, health, education and energy sectors. Reddy is also a contributing editor for the book Inspirational Women@Work which looks at the development of women leaders in various sectors.

“My area of expertise is improving the delivery of communication and I pride myself in the relevant and meaningful impact that communication can make to an organisation,” said Reddy.

Bentley-Steyn said that Reddy has extensive work experience in communication, public relations, editorial services, brand, reputation and change management.

“In UJ, Reddy has found a caring, passionate and ambitious university that is eager to take its place in the deployment of research, science and technology in the quest to find solutions for humanity’s most pressing challenges,” concluded Bentley-Steyn.

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