Hons Dr Ayanda Vilakazi Bcom Mba, Dba, Phdcand, Cm, Fcim, M.inst.d (SA UK)

Dr Ayanda Vilakazi has a diverse work experience in various companies and organizations. From 2009 to 2010, they worked as an International Business Manager at MATCH Hospitality AG, managing the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup South Africa. In 2010, they joined Metropolitan as the Group Head of Brand and Marketing until 2011. From 2012, they served as the Group Head of Marketing, Branding, and Communications at Coega Development Corporation. Dr Ayanda Vilakazi also held non-executive chairman positions at Lama Marketing and Advertising (Pty) Ltd and MC5 Shipping (Pty) Ltd. Dr Ayanda Vilakazi served as a non-executive director at South African State Theatre, RIDA (Pty) Limited/ T/A Small Business Finance and Solutions, and as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and a non-executive director at Artscape Theatre Centre. In 2014, they became a board member of the University of Cape Town and joined the Black Management Forum as an Editorial Committee Member in 2023.

Dr Ayanda Vilakazi has a comprehensive education background, acquiring several degrees and certifications over the years.

In 1994, they completed their Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree at the University of Natal, with a focus on Business Management, Marketing, and Transport Economics. Following this, they pursued their BCom Honours in Marketing Management at the same university in 1997.

Dr Ayanda Vilakazi expanded their knowledge in business administration by obtaining a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Natal in 2001.

In 2002, Dr Vilakazi enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA), which they completed in 2003.

In 2006, they furthered their executive development by attending the Executive Development Programme at the GIBS Business School (Gordon Institute of Business Science).

Dr Vilakazi's focus on academic pursuits continued as they obtained a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) from the University of KwaZulu-Natal between 2009 and 2013.

To enhance their knowledge in strategic marketing and emerging markets, they attended a program at the University of Cape Town in 2014, specializing in International Marketing.

Seeking to deepen their expertise in consumer neuroscience, Dr Vilakazi embarked on a PhD program at the University of Cape Town, which is set to be completed in 2023.

Throughout their academic journey, Dr Vilakazi has also acquired various certifications. In 2015, they obtained the Audit Committee Effectiveness certification from the Institute of Directors (IoD). Dr Ayanda Vilakazi expanded their knowledge in corporate governance by completing the Corporate Governance & Board Effectiveness program at the IoD in 2017. In 2018, they pursued further education in financial management through the IoD.

In 2021, Dr Vilakazi enrolled in the Mastering Board Leadership program at the Institute of Directors (IoD).

Additionally, they recently acquired the CIM FCIM Member certification from CIM | The Chartered Institute of Marketing in June 2022.