DANIE KOK
Founder, Consultant, and Industry Leader
Daniel "Danie" Kok is a distinguished strategist and consultant with an extensive career spanning research, education, technology, communication and social justice. He is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Strategic Convergence Alliance CC and serves as an Associate and Senior Consultant at Baird’s CMC, a UK-based international communications management consultancy.
His impressive career includes holding key positions such as Head of SAP Research in South Africa and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Technikon SA.
Advocacy and Social Justice
As the FairPlay Programme Manager, Danie actively supports and campaigns against chicken dumping, advocating for fair trade practices in the poultry industry. His commitment to social justice spans more than 20 years, particularly through his work with the Child Witness Institute, where he has been instrumental in efforts to combat violence against children (VAC). Additionally, he is deeply engaged in transformation initiatives in South Africa, focusing on business development and economic empowerment.
Contributions to Education and Research
A pioneer in blended learning, Danie led the introduction of this approach for Deaf students at the National Institute for the Deaf in Worcester, laying the foundation for their access to IT tertiary education at Belgium ITversity in Pretoria. His influence in education extends beyond direct teaching, having served on the Technology Advisory Boards of both the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria. He was also a key figure in establishing the University of Namibia.
In 2004, Danie spearheaded the first government-multinational IT research partnership in South Africa, collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology and SAP Meraka UTD. Two years later, he initiated a BRICS interest group to enhance collaboration on ICT research and innovation.
Throughout his career, he has played a significant role in developing corporate identities, communication strategies, and student recruitment initiatives for major institutions, including the University of Namibia, Technikon SA, and the University of Port Elizabeth.
Areas of Expertise
Danie’s professional interests and expertise include:
- Violence against children (VAC) & sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
- Project and programme management
- Communication management & market research
- Blended learning and education technology
- University-industry-government collaboration
His work fosters innovation and research, bridging the gap between academia, industry, and communities to drive social and economic progress.
Leadership in Technology and Development
A specialist in advanced human capital development within technology-driven environments, Danie has spent decades researching and implementing solutions that promote socio-economic growth and market expansion. His expertise encompasses:
- Higher education & distance learning
- Organisational and partnership development
- ICT solutions for emerging economies
Key Leadership Roles
- Vice-Principal at Technikon SA
- Director of Development, Marketing, and Communication at multiple universities
- Founder and Head of SAP Research in Pretoria, South Africa
- Joint Chief Executive Officer of SAP Meraka Unit for Technology Development
Under his leadership, SAP Research has made significant contributions to human capital development, exploring the impact of ICT on socio-economic advancement.
Danie Kok remains a visionary force in education, research, and communication, dedicated to leveraging technology and innovation to meet industry and community needs.
DANIE KOK
Founder, Consultant, and Industry Leader
Daniel "Danie" Kok is a distinguished strategist and consultant with an extensive career spanning research, education, technology, communication and social justice. He is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Strategic Convergence Alliance CC and serves as an Associate and Senior Consultant at Baird’s CMC, a UK-based international communications management consultancy.
His impressive career includes holding key positions such as Head of SAP Research in South Africa and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Technikon SA.
Advocacy and Social Justice
As the FairPlay Programme Manager, Danie actively supports and campaigns against chicken dumping, advocating for fair trade practices in the poultry industry. His commitment to social justice spans more than 20 years, particularly through his work with the Child Witness Institute, where he has been instrumental in efforts to combat violence against children (VAC). Additionally, he is deeply engaged in transformation initiatives in South Africa, focusing on business development and economic empowerment.
Contributions to Education and Research
A pioneer in blended learning, Danie led the introduction of this approach for Deaf students at the National Institute for the Deaf in Worcester, laying the foundation for their access to IT tertiary education at Belgium ITversity in Pretoria. His influence in education extends beyond direct teaching, having served on the Technology Advisory Boards of both the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria. He was also a key figure in establishing the University of Namibia.
In 2004, Danie spearheaded the first government-multinational IT research partnership in South Africa, collaborating with the Department of Science and Technology and SAP Meraka UTD. Two years later, he initiated a BRICS interest group to enhance collaboration on ICT research and innovation.
Throughout his career, he has played a significant role in developing corporate identities, communication strategies, and student recruitment initiatives for major institutions, including the University of Namibia, Technikon SA, and the University of Port Elizabeth.
Areas of Expertise
Danie’s professional interests and expertise include:
- Violence against children (VAC) & sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
- Project and programme management
- Communication management & market research
- Blended learning and education technology
- University-industry-government collaboration
His work fosters innovation and research, bridging the gap between academia, industry, and communities to drive social and economic progress.
Leadership in Technology and Development
A specialist in advanced human capital Development within technology-driven environments, Danie has spent decades researching and implementing solutions that promote socio-economic growth and market expansion.
His expertise encompasses:
- Higher education & distance learning
- Organisational and partnership development
- ICT solutions for emerging economies
Key Leadership Roles
- Vice-Principal at Technikon SA
- Director of Development, Marketing, and Communication at multiple universities
- Founder and Head of SAP Research in Pretoria, South Africa
- Joint Chief Executive Officer of SAP Meraka Unit for Technology Development
Under his leadership, SAP Research has made significant contributions to human capital development, exploring the impact of ICT on socio-economic advancement.
Danie Kok remains a visionary force in education, research, and communication, dedicated to leveraging technology and innovation to meet industry and community needs.
ALEXANDER DE CONING
De Coning started his career in the public relations industry as an intern at strategic communication agency, Baird’s Renaissance (now Edelman SA), in 2001. Under the tutelage of the founder and CEO, Francois Baird, De Coning was seconded to MTN Business for six months as a communication liaison to facilitate internal and external communication, while the mobile network operator had undergone one of the largest internal restructurings of its lifetime. De Coning was also part of the team that conceptualised and launched the MTN Radio Awards, and the lead public relations consultant for the awards in its second year.
His time at Baird’s introduced him to virtually every industry; working with Novartis and Sanofi Pasteur from a healthcare perspective, MTN and Motorola from a telecommunications and technology perspective; De Coning was also a junior member of the team that introduced Barclays to South Africa in one of the country’s largest FDI deals in history.
His foundation in traditional public relations firmly established, De Coning left Baird’s Renaissance in 2011 to join Cerebra, Africa’s social business authority, to glean more insight into the world of social media and how brands can more effectively engage with their target audiences directly. While at Cerebra, Alexander was the lead (and only) consultant responsible for the launch of G-Connect’s Inflight Wi-Fi – Internet on a plane – a campaign for which he won a Pixel at the 2012 Bookmark awards.
In 2014, FleishmanHillard approached De Coning to become head of its Financial Services and Corporate Affairs division. During this time, he had the opportunity to serve the Liberty Group (where he was reunited with the Radio Awards team, as Liberty had taken over the sponsorship from MTN), the Financial Planning Institute, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. De Coning also did numerous project works for Columinate, then a small marketing research agency responsible for creating South Africa’s Internet Banking Satisfaction index. De Coning and his team won a Prism award in 2016 for their work with Columinate on how complicated financial jargon is one of the biggest barriers to becoming financially free. De Coning subsequently joined Columinate in 2017 as in-house marketing and communication counsel. Global marketing research firm InSites Consulting acquired Columinate in 2019, with De Coning transitioning into more of a consulting role in 2020.
When he is not in the boardroom aiding clients to build their brands and tell their stories, he is probably doing one of the many things he loves, like writing, brainstorming, conducting media training, or lurking in the deep corners of the internet, trying to spot the next trend.
ALEXANDER DE CONING
De Coning started his career in the public relations industry as an intern at strategic communication agency, Baird’s Renaissance (now Edelman SA), in 2001. Under the tutelage of the founder and CEO, Francois Baird, De Coning was seconded to MTN Business for six months as a communication liaison to facilitate internal and external communication, while the mobile network operator had undergone one of the largest internal restructurings of its lifetime. De Coning was also part of the team that conceptualised and launched the MTN Radio Awards, and the lead public relations consultant for the awards in its second year.
His time at Baird’s introduced him to virtually every industry; working with Novartis and Sanofi Pasteur from a healthcare perspective, MTN and Motorola from a telecommunications and technology perspective; De Coning was also a junior member of the team that introduced Barclays to South Africa in one of the country’s largest FDI deals in history.
His foundation in traditional public relations firmly established, De Coning left Baird’s Renaissance in 2011 to join Cerebra, Africa’s social business authority, to glean more insight into the world of social media and how brands can more effectively engage with their target audiences directly. While at Cerebra, Alexander was the lead (and only) consultant responsible for the launch of G-Connect’s Inflight Wi-Fi – Internet on a plane – a campaign for which he won a Pixel at the 2012 Bookmark awards.
In 2014, FleishmanHillard approached De Coning to become head of its Financial Services and Corporate Affairs division. During this time, he had the opportunity to serve the Liberty Group (where he was reunited with the Radio Awards team, as Liberty had taken over the sponsorship from MTN), the Financial Planning Institute, and the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. De Coning also did numerous project works for Columinate, then a small marketing research agency responsible for creating South Africa’s Internet Banking Satisfaction index. De Coning and his team won a Prism award in 2016 for their work with Columinate on how complicated financial jargon is one of the biggest barriers to becoming financially free. De Coning subsequently joined Columinate in 2017 as in-house marketing and communication counsel. Global marketing research firm InSites Consulting acquired Columinate in 2019, with De Coning transitioning into more of a consulting role in 2020.
When he is not in the boardroom aiding clients to build their brands and tell their stories, he is probably doing one of the many things he loves, like writing, brainstorming, conducting media training, or lurking in the deep corners of the internet, trying to spot the next trend.
Zelda Geyer
Zelda Geyer began her career with The X-Pert Group in 1999 as a Project Administrator and Coordinator, supporting various X-Pert clients. Between 1999 and 2002, she underwent training and gained hands-on experience in project facilitation, project management, and project support office operations.
In late 2002, she was appointed Project Support Office Manager at SAP Research SA in Pretoria. As a Project Manager, she contributed to multiple SAP Research initiatives in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Science and Technology, universities, and SAP clients. Her role involved generating and analysing quarterly project and financial progress reports.
In 2006, she advanced to the position of Operations Manager for SAP Research, where she ensured operational and financial excellence. She also managed and coordinated company-wide events, including local and international conferences, training sessions, symposiums, workshops, and innovation launches.
Towards the end of 2015, Zelda Geyer moved over to Stratcona. With over 26 years of experience, Zelda Geyer is a seasoned Senior Administrator, Operations Manager, and Project Manager, bringing a wealth of expertise in organisational efficiency and strategic project execution.
Zelda Geyer
Zelda Geyer began her career with The X-Pert Group in 1999 as a Project Administrator and Coordinator, supporting various X-Pert clients. Between 1999 and 2002, she underwent training and gained hands-on experience in project facilitation, project management, and project support office operations.
In late 2002, she was appointed Project Support Office Manager at SAP Research SA in Pretoria. As a Project Manager, she contributed to multiple SAP Research initiatives in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Science and Technology, universities, and SAP clients. Her role involved generating and analysing quarterly project and financial progress reports.
In 2006, she advanced to the position of Operations Manager for SAP Research, where she ensured operational and financial excellence. She also managed and coordinated company-wide events, including local and international conferences, training sessions, symposiums, workshops, and innovation launches.
Towards the end of 2015, Zelda Geyer moved over to Stratcona. With over 26 years of experience, Zelda Geyer is a seasoned Senior Administrator, Operations Manager, and Project Manager, bringing a wealth of expertise in organisational efficiency and strategic project execution.
Themba Clarence Hlengani
Themba Clarence Hlengani is a seasoned communications and media practitioner who has served organisations and companies in both the public and private sectors. Over the last 22 years. Founder and lead director of Hlengani Communications, a media relations and corporate communications specialist firm, Themba’s last corporate position was as head of communication and branding for JSE-listed ArcelorMittal South Africa
Prior to this position, Themba was communications and marketing manager for the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), where he established the communications function and a communications position for the Centre.
Themba Clarence Hlengani
Themba Clarence Hlengani is a seasoned communications and media practitioner who has served organisations and companies in both the public and private sectors. Over the last 22 years. Founder and lead director of Hlengani Communications, a media relations and corporate communications specialist firm, Themba’s last corporate position was as head of communication and branding for JSE-listed ArcelorMittal South Africa
Prior to this position, Themba was communications and marketing manager for the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), where he established the communications function and a communications position for the Centre.
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