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INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS

Creative agency The Hardy Boys announces new MD appointment

By our News Team | 2023

Taweni Gondwe-Xaba’s career comes full circle after starting in the industry as an aspiring copywriter nearly three decades ago.

South African-based creative agency, The Hardy Boys, has announced the appointment of Taweni Gondwe-Xaba as its new Managing Director.

Gondwe-Xaba joined the business, which is a Wunderman Thompson company, as its Chief Growth Officer a year ago. She assumed the role as part of the agency’s growth and business sustainability strategy.

Industry Appointments

Taweni Gondwe-Xaba (left) while working with Oprah Winfrey on the launch of O magazine. Photo via Facebook

Having started out in advertising as an aspiring copywriter with well-known agency The Jupiter Drawing Room in Cape Town, she has come full circle, the agency says in a press release.

Gondwe-Xaba’s 28 years of experience includes leadership roles at Interactive Africa, Associated Media Publishing, Viacom, Nation Publications Ltd, the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mary’s Meals International. 

“This has enabled her to work across a spectrum with some of the world’s leading brands, yet also with start-ups and powerful media entities,” the statement says.

“She counts as highlights of her career to date the work with Oprah Winfrey on the launch of O, the Oprah magazine, together with interviewing inspiring leaders in the creative world such as Sir Terence Conran, Neville Brody, Oliviero Toscani and Ozwald Boateng. 

Combines work with full family life

“She also manages to combine a full family life with three teenage daughters and an entrepreneur husband, as well as leadership coaching and a public speaker.”

Commented Gondwe-Xaba: “I am so proud to be working with such a roster of brilliant clients who have entrusted their brand partnership to the Hardy Boys, several of them over many decades. Partnerships that are also founded on shared values, trust, plus strategic and creative alignment to drive mutual growth. I am proud to come on board to help write the next chapter.” 

Founding CEO of The Hardy Boys, Dale Tomlinson, added; “Taweni has proved herself to be a positive force in the agency, driving numerous developmental programmes and optimising our client partnerships and delivery. 

“She has championed the implementation of a comprehensive client service best practice initiative across our entire account management team and the impact is already being felt both internally and externally.”

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Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.