Director Advancement Mr Phumzile Zonke joined Iziko Museums of South Africa as the Director of Advancement in May 2025. Mr Zonke brings a wealth of experience, and a dynamic skill set that will be instrumental in advancing Iziko’s vision and mission. Mr Zonke holds a Master of Philosophy in International Business (MPhil in IB) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), among other academic accolades. He is currently pursuing a PhD focusing on “The Effect of Artificial Intelligence on the Performance of Public Service Institutions: A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective.” He obtained his BA in Media, Communications and Culture from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (now Nelson Mandela University) and holds various additional qualifications and certificates in people management, copywriting, and more.
A multilingual professional, Mr Zonke is fluent in English, isiXhosa, and isiZulu, and is currently learning seSotho, seTswana, and Afrikaans. His professional background includes notable roles such as Strategy Consultant for the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa (Broadcast Service), and a range of leadership roles at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), including Head of SABC1, Network On-Air Presentation/Marketing Manager, and Creative Director, among others. He has also served as founder and Managing Director of Black Swag Productions, UPhondo lwe Afrika / Ung Utan Pung Theatre Productions and has freelanced on various high-profile media and cultural projects.
Mr Zonke has a deep passion for telling South African stories. His commitment to heritage and the arts has taken him across Scandinavia—including Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Norway—where he promoted South Africa’s rich cultural narratives through theatre and television. He has previously served on the boards of S2 Multimedia, The Music Imbizo, Cake Media, Penthouse Motion Pictures, and Iziko Museums of South Africa among others.
