4 September 2000
The Presidency is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Lakela Kaunda as Chief Director: Communication and Spokesperson to Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
Ms Kaunda, currently editor of the Evening Post in Port Elizabeth, brings to the Presidency a wealth of experience, both in government and the media. She is well placed to lead this office in its efforts to ensure that all South Africans are kept well informed of developments within the Presidency, particularly in the office of the Deputy President.
A former Assistant Editor of the Natal Witness in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu Natal, Ms Kaunda has previously worked as Public Relations Officer to Mr Zuma during his term as MEC for Economic Affairs in the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, and as Communications Director in the Department of Communications in Pretoria.
She was appointed Editor of the Evening Post in April 1999, becoming the first woman to edit a mainstream daily newspaper in South Africa. She also served as chairperson of the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) until July this year.
Ms Kaunda holds a Bachelor of Journalism degree from Rhodes University, a BA Honours in politics from Unisa, as well as a postgraduate diploma in world politics from the London School of Economics.
She assumes duty on the 2nd October 2000.
Issued by: Office of the Presidency
Mathula Magubane 082-371-1315