From the Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecture halls to one of the country’s highest offices. DUT’s Public Relations Management Alumna, Reneilwe Serero’s career is nothing short of “greatness” as she makes significant strides in the public sector.
Serero serves as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer within the Ministry of Police in South Africa. Born in Westonaria, a small mining town on the West Rand of Johannesburg, Serero is the third of four children in her family, raised by both parents where she had what she calls “a relatively straightforward upbringing.”
She mentions that her high school experience at Randfontein High School was unremarkable, as she was predominantly an average student, however, in her matriculation year in 2005, she was elected as a prefect on the Representative Council of Learners (RCL).
“After completing matric, I relocated to Pietermaritzburg (PMB) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to pursue my studies at DUT. As a Tswana speaker, this move required me to learn a new language to integrate into my new environment,” said Serero.
Serero joined DUT in 2006 to study for a National Diploma in Public Relations Management in the Faculty of Management Sciences which she accomplished in record time. She completed her internship at the Department of Transport and Community Safety Liaison in PMB, and enrolled with DUT again for her Bachelor of Technology in Public Relations Management in 2009.
“My professional experience has been notably steady, allowing me to acquire knowledge continuously while embodying a willingness to learn from my colleagues and superiors,” Serero said.
Her career took off when she was absorbed into the Communication unit of the Department of Transport (DOT) for 12 months, and later appointed permanently as a Communications Officer.
“During my tenure at DOT, I actively engaged in community education on road safety, which was one of the department’s primary objectives. I also served as the voice behind traffic sponsorships on Gagasi FM radio station on their breakfast and afternoon drive-time shows,” she said.
In 2010, she switched from the public office to acquire experience in the private sector as she moved to Cape Town where she worked for Woolworths as a Communications Coordinator. She stayed with Woolworths for four years moving from Communications Coordinator to Departmental Manager and Executive Assistant.
“This role introduced me to a fast-paced retail environment, requiring agility and adaptability to learn both the operational dynamics and the associated terminology,” she explained.
She then was employed at the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries at the national level before joining the Department of Police at the Ministerial level as a Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson for Police Minister, Mr Bheki Cele in 2018.
“This position was both challenging and high-pressured, with failure not being an option I pushed through and gave it my all. I had the opportunity to travel internationally while in the role, and attended high-level conferences and meetings aimed at enhancing policing strategies, and safeguarding national borders, this remains an outstanding highlight of my career,” shared Serero.
Alongside her current role as Cabinet Liaison Officer in Parliament for the Police Ministry, she is also a Board Member for the Board of the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA), and an active member of the Reneilwe Serero Foundation, a non-profit organisation she founded in 2017 to fight gender inequality.
Speaking on her foundation Serero said: “It all started with a simple yet powerful idea: no girl should ever sacrifice her education or personal growth because of her circumstances. We focus on an often-overlooked issue, menstrual hygiene management because I believe that taking care of one’s period isn’t just about health; it’s about dignity and empowerment.”
She acknowledged the influence of DUT in her development, and relayed that studying at DUT has been a transformative experience.
“I’ve gained a reputable qualification that has opened up new opportunities in my professional journey. The lecturers were dedicated, and held us to high standards, always pushing us to strive for our best. Overall, my time at DUT was nothing short of amazing, and I would encourage anyone considering their options to join the DUT family,” she commented.
Serero expressed her gratitude to her line manager, Ms. Phokane, who she says has been instrumental in opening numerous doors for her, and promised that her next career move will be substantial.
Pictured: DUT’s Public Relations Management Alumna, Reneilwe Serero who serves as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer within the Ministry of Police in South Africa.
Thulasizwe Nkomo
