A day in the life of Esona Ndongeni, content and PR
We spent some time with new joiner Esona Ndongeni to find out what a day at the office looks like for her in the marketing department.
We spent some time with new joiner Esona Ndongeni to find out what a day at the office looks like for her in the marketing department.
You’ve only got a few minutes to explain what you do to someone you’ve just met. What do you tell them, including your title and what it means? Think of this as your elevator pitch!
I’m the Content and PR Marketing & Production at Capitec, reporting to my manager Matthew Smith. An important part of my role sees me working on marketing campaigns that aim to generate trust and instill confidence to invest in our products and services.
We work hard to create quality content that boosts our value proposition, keeping our clients coming back and trusting us with their finances. Successful content marketing requires a team of specialists, which is exactly what we are.
How long have you been at Capitec?
I’m still brand new to the team, as I only started in September. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead of me on this exciting new journey and career path.
What about your role excites you most?
The nature of my job and what I do at Capitec excites me. My work is my passion, and I realise that I’m one of the few people who can say that. I’m also excited about the new challenges I’m going to face in this position; I can't wait for them to shape me into a more effective and well-rounded employee.
What’s the first thing you do when you get to the office every morning?
I start each day by taking time to clear my head, so I’m refreshed and ready for what the day will bring. I also make it a priority to check in with my colleagues to see what they’ve been up to and how they’re feeling. These check-ins are important for team morale, and I find that a quick catch-up over a cup of coffee puts everyone in a good mood for the day ahead.
Tell us about a typical day at the office.
A typical day is busy! From meetings and prepping strategies to creating content, no day is the same. But I love that about my job because I see every day as an opportunity to learn and grow.
What’s your go-to tool for getting your job done efficiently and effectively?
I believe that failing to prepare is preparing to fail, so I prepare well. At the end of every day, I make a point of writing a new to-do list for the following day.
What type of skills are required to be good at what you do?
To be good in a role like mine, you need to be creative, forward thinking and well organised. The ability to think critically is important too. It also helps if you pay attention to detail and work well in a team because teamwork makes the dream work.
What did you study?
I studied public relations management at the Cape Town Peninsula University of Technology.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to become an architect. While many people see a building as nothing more than just a brick structure, I see the creativity and problem solving that went into building it. Architecture is one of the few professions that is never static, as is banking. This is one of the reasons I feel lucky to have joined one of the most forward-thinking technology banks in South Africa. Our Capitec building inspires me every time I step through the front doors.