Profile
About Sharon
Communication has been the foundation of my professional career, but the work itself has always extended beyond communication.
Across local government, national research institutions and multidisciplinary environments, I have contributed to initiatives that strengthen relationships between institutions and the people they serve. My work has involved translating technical information into practical knowledge, supporting public participation, coordinating stakeholder engagement and developing communication strategies that improve access to information and strengthen institutional visibility.
Over the past five years, I have worked alongside researchers, municipal leadership, government officials, development practitioners, farmers, media professionals and community stakeholders. These experiences have shaped a practical approach to communication that values clarity, collaboration and accountability.
Professional Biography
Sharon Mfanta is a Public Relations and Government Communication professional with experience spanning local government, research institutions, public participation and strategic communication.
Her career reflects a combination of communication expertise and public sector experience, supporting organisations whose work directly influences communities, agriculture, research and public service delivery.
She has planned and implemented communication strategies, coordinated stakeholder engagement initiatives, managed media relations, developed communication resources and supported executive communication across a range of programmes.
Her experience includes communicating scientific research, coordinating public awareness campaigns, strengthening institutional branding, facilitating stakeholder relationships and supporting communication activities linked to national and international initiatives.
Throughout her career, Sharon has remained committed to producing communication that is accurate, accessible and aligned with organisational objectives.
Professional Profile
My work sits at the intersection of communication, research and public service.
I enjoy working in environments where communication supports decision-making, strengthens collaboration and improves public understanding. Whether preparing communication material for a national research programme, coordinating stakeholder engagements for a municipality or supporting communication around agricultural innovation, my focus remains the same: developing communication that enables people to participate, contribute and make informed decisions.
My experience has allowed me to work across multiple communication disciplines, including strategic communication, media liaison, public participation, stakeholder engagement, executive communication, research communication and corporate communication.
I value environments where communication is treated as a strategic function that contributes to organisational performance, public accountability and meaningful engagement.
Areas of Practice
My professional experience has been developed across several complementary areas of communication.
Public Relations
Supporting institutional reputation through strategic communication, media engagement and relationship management.
Government Communication
Communicating public programmes, policies and institutional priorities in ways that improve public understanding and encourage participation.
Strategic Communication
Developing communication approaches that align organisational priorities with stakeholder needs while supporting long-term institutional objectives.
Digital Communication & Media
Developing digital communication strategies across social media, websites and online platforms, including content planning, campaign management, digital storytelling and audience engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement
Building productive relationships between government institutions, researchers, industry partners, communities, development organisations and the media.
Public Participation
Supporting initiatives that encourage dialogue, consultation and collaboration between institutions and the communities they serve.
Research Communication
Working alongside researchers to translate scientific knowledge into practical communication products for farmers, stakeholders, policymakers and the broader public.
Philosophy
Effective communication begins with understanding context.
Every audience requires a different approach. Researchers communicate differently from farmers. Municipal councils communicate differently from community organisations. Government institutions communicate differently from development partners.
My role is to understand those differences and develop communication that is appropriate for the audience, aligned with organisational objectives and supported by accurate information.
Good communication creates understanding.
Clear communication encourages participation.
Consistent communication strengthens trust.
Working Across Audiences
Throughout my career, I have worked with a broad range of stakeholders, each requiring different communication approaches.
- Government departments
- Municipal leadership
- Councillors
- Research scientists
- Agricultural professionals
- Farmers and producer organisations
- Community leaders
- Development practitioners
- Civil society organisations
- Educational institutions
- Media organisations
- Provincial and national stakeholders
Working across these environments has strengthened my ability to communicate with technical specialists and public audiences while maintaining clarity, professionalism and institutional credibility.
Languages
Language plays an important role in ensuring communication is accessible and inclusive.
English
Read · Write · Speak
Afrikaans
Read · Write · Speak
isiXhosa
Read · Write · Speak
isiZulu
Read · Write · Speak
This has enabled me to support multilingual communication initiatives, develop communication material for diverse audiences and contribute to public participation programmes that recognise the linguistic diversity of South African communities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts (Social Sciences)University of the Western Cape
- Bachelor of Arts Honours (Development Studies)University of the Western Cape
- Digital Marketing Analyst LicenceInternational Institute of Digital Marketing
Current Academic Development
Preparing to pursue a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) specialising in Multilevel Government and Local Government, with a research interest in governance, public participation and institutional communication.
For the full academic and professional record, download the complete curriculum vitae below.
Download CV (PDF) ↓Professional Values
Integrity
Communicating accurately, ethically and responsibly.
Accountability
Supporting transparent communication that strengthens public confidence in institutions.
Collaboration
Working across disciplines and organisations to achieve shared objectives.
Service Excellence
Producing communication that is purposeful, accessible and aligned with the needs of stakeholders.
Continuous Learning
Remaining curious, adaptable and committed to professional growth through research, learning and practical experience.
Beyond the Office
Outside my professional responsibilities, I enjoy exploring the relationship between communication, governance and community development through reading, research and continuous learning.
I have a particular interest in public participation, agricultural development, policy communication and institutional leadership. These interests continue to shape both my professional development and the type of work I choose to pursue.
Career Timeline
- 2018 - 2021
Communications & Marketing Officer
PNTL Consultants
- 2021 - 2022
Social Media & Communications Strategist
African National Congress (Northern Cape)
- 2021 - 2022
Field Research Coordinator
Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
- 2022 - 2025
Public Relations Officer
Namakwa District Municipality
- 2025 - Present
Public Relations Officer | Institute for Soil, Climate and Water
Agricultural Research Council
- Future
Master of Philosophy (Multilevel Government & Local Government)
Leadership in Government Communication