MFSA celebrates certification of 15 new Chartered Marketers
In a certification ceremony held at the Wits Business School in Parktown last night, 15 new Chartered Marketers from such diverse fields as government, arts, manufacturing and new technologies graduated as Chartered Marketers from the programme managed by the MFSA.
The MFSA Board of Directors and the Marketing Chamber Board of the Services SETA congratulated the candidates who successfully completed the MFSA Chartered Marketer (SA) Board Exam. "The candidates all demonstrated a high level of competence and experience, and now become signatories to the MFSA Code of Professional Conduct. They have therefore achieved Chartered Marketer professional status and, subject to meeting the criteria to retain CM(SA) status, are entitled to use the designatory letters CM(SA)," says John Arnesen of the MFSA's Quality Management Unit.
The programme, currently providing the highest level of accredited professional recognition for marketers in South Africa, was introduced by the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) in 1999 in order to provide senior marketing managers, directors and general managers responsible for the marketing function with an opportunity to achieve a professionally recognised status.
The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SSETA) has now conferred the right to certify competence on it's behalf to the MFSA. The CM(SA) register is managed and maintained by the MFSA Quality Management Unit and the details of all CM(SA)'s are submitted to SSETA for entry onto the National Learner Record Database.
"The Quality Management Unit of the MFSA is primarily responsible for the certification of learners within the marketing domain," says Arnesen. "We have been working closely with members, partners and the authorities to produce a workable, legitimate and widely accepted framework for the professionalism of marketers and the broad unquestioned recognition of the marketing industry."
"The Chartered Marketer programme is targeted at professional marketers throughout southern Africa and aims to bring the profession of marketing into line with other key disciplines." says Arnesen. Senior marketers operating at a strategic level and fulfilling a management role, often as an executive director on the board of a corporation, are the prime candidates. Entrance requirements are stringent, starting with an educational qualification at NQF level 7 (Masters/Honours), or equivalent in marketing. Ten years of management experience or seven years at a high level in marketing management are also required.
"After being granted Chartered Marketer status, candidates are expected to maintain their skills through personal Continuous Professional Development (CPD). This entails the systematic updating of skills and entails the recording of relevant activities such as training courses and conferences," says Arnesen.
"The role of marketers has become increasingly critical and marketing strategy a leading function in the formulation of business strategies. The reputation of the marketing profession is heavily dependent on marketers demonstrating a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of competence."
About the MFSA
The Marketing Federation of Southern Africa (MFSA) was formed on 1 October 2002. This powerful organisation embodies the unity of the Marketing profession through the amalgamation of the three leading marketing bodies in the country – the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM), the Association of Marketers (ASOM) and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA).
Candidates admitted to the Chartered Marketer certification:
1. David Angus; Former Head of Marketing; The Liberty Group
2. Pierre Bosch; General Manager; Alcon Laboratories SA (Pty) Ltd
3. Natie Bovill; Marketing Information Manager; Armscor
4. Alastair Douglas; Marketing and Sales Director: Surgical Division; Alcon Laboratories SA (Pty) Ltd
5. Erika Dykes; Sub-Section Head Communication and Liaison Services, Marketing; South African Police Service
6. Lungile Lose; Small & Medium Business Marketing Manager; Microsoft (Pty) Ltd
7. Chris Luyt; Chief Marketing Officer; BestMed
8. Kusile Mtunzi-Hairwadzi; Executive Manager, Corporate Communications & Stake Holder Relations; Medical Research Council
9. Boitumelo Nkosi; Head of Marketing; Cell C Service Provider
10. Warren Olsen; Marketing Manager; Honda SA
11. Pierro Pazzi; Marketing Manager; Triple M
12. Ian Rheeder; Marketing manager; YKK Zippers (Pty) Ltd
13. Sara Ross; Executive Manager: Sales & Marketing; Galileo Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
14. Albert Swanepoel; Marketing Manager; Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
15. Kim Thipe; Marketing Director; YFM Radio
Editorial contact
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide/South Africa
Tamaryn Smith
T: +27 11 880 2271
