Advisory Committee

The Brand Leadership Academy™ advisory committee comprises respected decision makers, journalists & authorities in the private & public sectors:

Thebe Ikalafeng, founder of the Brand Leadership Group & the Brand Leadership Academy, is recognised as one of the Top 10 Thinkers in Marketing in an Ipsos Markinor survey among business decision makers. A non-executive director of Mercantile Bank Holdings & Foodcorp, a member of Durban University of Technology Council & Vega School of Brand Communications' advisory committee, he has been recognised globally with a Marquette University/American Marketing Association 'Award for Marketing Excellence' & 'Global Brand Leadership' by the Asia Brand Congress. Thebe consults, speaks & teaches globally in personal, commercial, political & nation branding.

Peter Mpuang is an experienced educator & accredited assessor & trainer with over 20 years' experience in primary education, government - IEC, Western Cape Municipal & Provincial Governments, as well as training & development. He holds BA (Social Sciences), Post Graduate Diploma Adult Education & Training (ABET) & Project Management qualifications. Peter runs Lebogang Training & Development (L.T.D), a professional education, training & development consultancy with its primary focus on skills development & project management.

Thabisile Phumo is a seasoned and consummate communicator with experience spanning the private and public sectors shaped by PR roles at organisations such as the United Nations, University of South Africa and CGE. As head of group communications at the world's largest platinum producer, AngloPlat, she's responsible for helping shape the organisation's public profile. Phumo earned BA and BA (Hons) degrees, MAP and several diplomas in public relationship, project management and leadership.

Graeme Butchart is a creator, communicator and coach. Using the experience gained from an award winning career in advertising and communication, Graeme presents an understanding of the significant role creativity and innovation play in business today. His signature course - "CREATIVITY - THE NEW ECONOMIC FRONTIER" - inspired by his exposure to a diverse range of clients in South Africa and abroad that has given birth to ideas that have inspired businesses to actively involve themselves in meaningful social developments. Graeme has now taken these experiences and turned them into wisdoms and sharing them at advertising schools, universities and business leadership institutions, and directly to businesses.

Chris Moerdyk is the former head of strategic planning and public affairs at BMW South Africa and was listed in a recent Markinor corporate survey as one of South Africa's top marketing thought leaders. In an earlier Financial Mail poll he was voted one of the 20 most influential people in the SA advertising industry. He now spends his time as a marketing analyst and commentator. He is non-executive chairman of Bizcommunity.com and The Southern Cross Newspaper. He is a Fellow of The Institute of Marketing Management and member of the global Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council.