PUBLIC RELATIONS APPOINTMENTS

PR company Weber Shandwick makes senior Africa appointment

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2025

Roberta Makhambeni promoted to Senior Vice President: Client Experience and will lead the agency’s public sector practice in Africa.

Public relations company Weber Shandwick has announced the appointment of Roberta Makhambeni to the position of Senior Vice President: Client Experience in the Africa region.  

 

In her new role, Makhambeni joins the senior leadership team and assumes the lead role for the agency’s public sector practice in Africa. 

 

With nearly 30 years of experience, Makhambeni has worked in both agency and client environments, across public and private sector institutions. Her tenure at Weber Shandwick began three years ago in the role of Vice President, where she was instrumental in leading key accounts in the public sector, social impact, and corporate portfolios. 

Photo: Weber Shandwick

“This promotion is well-deserved and could not have come at a better time for our business across the African continent,” says Larry Khumalo-MacArthur, Managing Director and Market Lead for Weber Shandwick in Africa. 

 

“Firstly, the acknowledgement of excellence within our business and the commensurate recognition is a culture we are deeply proud of. We are invested in the continuous development of our talent, and to promote from within is an expression of that commitment. 

 

“Roberta is a seasoned consultant. She has had a storied career and, over time, has finessed an acumen that is especially urgent in this moment where the needs of the public sector are evolving, demanding foresight and trust-driven partnerships.  

 

“She will continue to be a steady hand to our client partners as they navigate the complexity of doing business today.” 

 

Makhambeni will be delivering specific Weber Shandwick public relations services across multiple markets in Africa. 

 

She comments: “I am honoured to step into this role at a pivotal time for our industry, where client needs and audience engagement are rapidly evolving. My focus is on delivering meaningful, results-driven solutions that exceed our client partners’ ambitions. I look forward to working with our teams and partners to redefine excellence in our discipline and in our industry.”  

 

Makhambeni began her career at hospitality group Sun International in 1999, before joining communications agency FCB Redline, where she managed portfolios with clients such as Siemens. She later transitioned to the public sector, serving various entities. 

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Jason Lottering
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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    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.
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    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.

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