Senior presidential appointments

Mona was editor of Tribute magazine in the late ‘90s and founding editor of The Teacher newspaper. He was features editor and deputy editor of City Press, becoming editor in 2000-2003. After his editorship, he became MD of the Corporate Communications Agency, a subsidiary of The Agency for Marketing and Advertising. Most recently, he was the head of communications, media and public relations at Rhema Ministries (SA).

Kaunda brings to the presidency more than 20 years of experience in the communications as well as political and strategic management fields. She will be responsible of the overall strategic and operational management of the Private Office of the President, ensuring alignment with government priorities and programmes.

Prior to her appointment, she managed the Office of the ANC President, Jacob Zuma at Luthuli House. She was spokesperson for Zuma when he was the deputy president of the Republic and served as his public relations officer when he was MEC for Economic Affairs and Tourism in KwaZulu-Natal. She has been acting DDG and head of the Private Office since Zuma's inauguration.

A seasoned journalist, she was appointed editor of the Evening Post newspaper in Port Elizabeth in 1999, becoming the first woman to edit a daily newspaper in the country. She has also worked as assistant editor and political correspondent for the Natal Witness in Pietermaritzburg. She was chairperson of the South African National Editors Forum in 1999-2000.