Lafarge South Africa appoints a New Country Manager – Communications

Lafarge South Africa has announced the appointment of Unathi Batyashe-Fillis as Country Manager: Communications.

Batyashe-Fillis has an impressive track record in reputation and crisis management, corporate social investment, brand management, stakeholder relations management and corporate communication.

She holds a Degree in Communications Science from the Free State University and successfully completed the International Executive Development Programme with Henley Business School. She is also a Non-Executive Director for a Johannesburg based IT Company, Mpilo Technologies.

Batyashe-Fillis began her career as a journalist more than 15 years ago. She has 10 years of success as a dynamic prime time news anchor, writer and editor with top South African media including Independent Newspapers, DSTV and PRIMEDIA Broadcasting.

Prior to joining Lafarge South Africa, she worked at Airports Company South Africa’s O.R. Tambo International Airport where, despite being appointed only two months before the event, she played a significant role in implementing the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup Communications plan.

She also contributed significantly to transforming the internal and external communications portfolios within the group. In 2012, she was appointed as the Communications Team lead in Brazil in the run up to the concession operating the Guarulhos International Airport following a successful bid process by ACSA. She became group spokesperson and headed up the company’s corporate communications portfolio in 2013.

Batyashe-Fillis is part of Lafarge South Africa’s executive committee, reporting directly to Country CEO Ken MacLean.

Commenting on her appointment MacLean says; “I am confident that Unathi is exactly what we need to further entrench our brand in South Africa and will play a crucial role in our efforts to strengthen relationships with our key stakeholders. She will also provide strategic insight on various platforms and more importantly in driving business objectives both internally and externally.

More information from Unathi Batyashe-Fillis, Tel:+27(0)116570000/www.lafarge.co.za