Flying the Unisa flag at the Office of the KZN Premier

Bongani Gina (35) recently celebrated his graduation at the Durban Exhibition Centre and is proud to serve as the Head of Provincial Government Communication for KwaZulu-Natal.

Bongani Gina

In his role as Chief Director at the Office of the Premier, he draws on his BA Degree in Communication Science from Unisa and a BA Honours in Integrated Organisational Communication.

Previously, he held positions as the Head of Communication and Marketing for the uMhlathuze Municipality and as a Senior Journalist and Producer at Gagasi FM.

“Choosing the media and communication stream was driven by my passion for marketing and communication,” Bongani says. He believes profoundly that communication, PR, and media practitioners have a huge role and influence in shaping people's mindsets and attitudes.

Throughout his career, Bongani has learnt significant lessons about commitment, dedication, and time management, along with developing practical research skills. Despite the challenges, he expresses his aspirations. “Although pressed for time due to high demands, I would still love to further my studies and do my master’s degree.”

He highlights the benefits of studying at Unisa, saying that it teaches you commitment to your work, self-control, time management, and learning to cope with less sleep – all worth it in the end. His first degree has been instrumental in his current managerial role, allowing him to follow communication processes and maintain essential media values.

“The knowledge I gained during my honours will shape my communications and leadership skills,” he says. Bongani started with a BA Degree in Communication Science in the second term of 2018 while balancing a demanding role at Gagasi FM.

He continues: “Juggling work and studies were quite a challenge, but by my honours, I had mastered the skill of balancing both. Funding my own education taught me the importance of financial management and investing my salary in education was essential.”

He encourages aspiring students with a passion for communication by saying, “People considering studying communication should go for it. There are ample opportunities in both government and private sectors.”

Bongani is a good example as he continues his impactful role as the Head of KZN Provincial Government Communication, serving as both Provincial Government Spokesperson and Spokesperson for the KZN Premier.

*By Sakhile Mtshali, Communications Officer, Unisa KwaZulu-Natal Region, with input from Grammarly