Our outstanding alumni are proof of our commitment to creating logical business thinkers who understand human behaviour and use the magic of creative thinking to grow successful organisations.
“It's safe to say Red & Yellow changed my life. After completing a very academically-focused University qualification in an environment that didn't inspire creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation; I then found this at Red & Yellow. The exposure to this, and the inner workings of industry, is still a major influence in what I do everyday. The quality of educators and content prepared gave me a head start for, and thorough understanding of, business.“ - Veli Ngubane, Founding Partner & Creative Director
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THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY
Our Alumni continue to inspire (as guest lecturers), inform (course content that is relevant), and support (with industry-related wisdom and access to networks).
The bigger Red & Yellow community comprises lecturers, students, support teams, corporate executives, online students … and everyone who has been a part of our journey. We’re big on ‘family’, and what we believe it stands for - sticking together and supporting each other with brutal honesty and nurturing support, throughout life’s happy moments and painful lows. Because we’re all connected to something bigger.
THE ALUMNI NETWORK
All individuals that have studied with Red & Yellow - both online and fulltime - are automatically enrolled in our Alumni Network Benefits Programme. It’s jam-packed with exclusive learning and lifestyle benefits. Check it out.
CHRIS GOTZ
Graduated: 1994
'Wow' factor: ‘Arguably SA advertising’s most talented and influential creative leader’.
Chris credits the school for inspiring him, and giving him excellent grounding. After many leadership positions at Ogilvy worldwide, he’s now a shareholder at a smaller agency. Financial Mail rated him ‘Arguably SA advertising’s most talented and influential creative leader’.
Veli Ngubane
Graduated: 2007
'Wow' factor: Co-founder of SA’s biggest black-owned integrated marketing agency.
One of Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Youth of 2017, Veli credits Red & Yellow for shaping his conviction that real magic happens when business and creativity come together. AVATAR is SA’s biggest black-owned integrated marketing agency and works on some iconic South African brands.
Jason Harrison
Graduated: 2001
'Wow' factor: Co-founder of SA's most successful indie agencies
We inspired Jason to believe passionately in the power of changing the world for the better. After impressive overseas success, he returned to SA as co-founder of M&C Saatchi Abel - one of SA’s fastest growing and most successful marketing communications startups.
Kamini Pather
Graduated: 2007
'Wow' factor: Winner of SA Masterchef
Red & Yellow taught Kamini not only to communicate effectively, but how to get what she wants out of business. She’s used this to build a successful career as a serial freelancer in radio, blogging, writing, reviewing, cooking, shooting her own TV series and waymore.
Conn Bertish
Graduated: 1999
'Wow' factor: Cancer-fighting author, speaker and change agent
As Creative Director on huge global brands at a range of top advertising agencies, he’s won all major industry awards.
Now that same fearless creativity drives his NPO - producing tools and content to help others survive cancer.
Moe Kekana
Graduated: 2010
'Wow' factor: Respected illustrator and industry-shaper
Despite having no idea what to study, or what the role entails, Moe’s internship as Art Director at King James - one of SA’s largest independent agencies - led to them snapping him up the instant he graduated. He’s also made a name as a respected illustrator.
David Moffat
Graduated: 1999
'Wow' factor: Partner and shaper of leading digital agency
As partner and Group Managing Director, David guided Hellocomputer into an imaginative and outcomes-based digital agency that consistently ranks amongst South Africa’s leaders, in both creative and performance-orientated awards. HelloComputer was acquired by IPG and is now part of the FCB Group of Companies.
Daniel Beatty
Graduated: 2002
'Wow' factor: Manages €25M portfolio for Red Bull, Greater China
Daniel’s strong track record in marketing leadership, strategic planning, business setup, team development, digital expertise and growth delivery has led to a career that spans senior management positions in creative, media and FMCG industries across Asia and Africa.
Sandile Mkhasibe
Graduated: 1996
'Wow' factor: Co-founded bootcamps for brands
After graduating, Sandile spent 18 years at some of South Africa’s top agencies, along with a stint at MTV Africa. He then went on to co-found The Garage Communications, where as creative director, he now “services, repairs and fine-tunes brands back into shape”.
Nikki GreenWall
Graduated: 1998
'Wow' factor: Owns an incredibly successful production company
Nikki launched Greenwall Productions in 2009 - after working at various ad agencies while pursuing a part-time acting career; then writing, producing and anchoring for full-time TV.
She’s interviewed global entertainers; produced a documentary series; and contributed to several well-known publications.
Sibusiso Sithole
Graduated: 2004
'Wow' factor: Co-founder of a 100% black-owned agency with leading clients
After graduating, Sibusiso worked at various key agencies until - as Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather - the entrepreneurial urge became too strong. Resulting in him and a partner starting an agency, with KFC as its launch client.
Faheem Chaudhry
Graduated: 2011
'Wow' factor: Understanding people to create meaningful change
After studying politics, Faheem came to Red & Yellow. And was blown away by the power of brand strategy and creative thinking. Influencing an enviable business savvy that’s led to a remarkable career as political campaigner, socio-economic activist and as of recent, re-joined M&C Saatchi Abel as the managing partner of its operational and leadership team in Johannesburg.
George Wyngaardt
Graduated: 2016
'Wow' factor: Co-founder of Click Digital Africa
George is a seasoned digital strategist with over 10 years experience within the online advertising industry. He left his full-time job at a large advertising agency in 2016 and dedicated his time to helping small black-owned businesses better utilise SEO and Paid Media to grow. He is passionate about social entrepreneurship and job creation in Africa.
Dorcas Onyango
Graduated: 2003
'Wow' factor: Head of Sustainability, Coca-Cola Southern and East Africa Business Unit
As the Director, Programs Implementation and Partnerships for Coca-Cola’s sustainability initiatives in Africa, Dorcas Onyango leads civil society, government and private sector partners to design, implement and measure Pan-African initiatives such as RAIN, which improved access to water for 2 million people in Africa by 2015, as well as Health, Youth Empowerment, and Coca-Cola’s Women Economic Empowerment program, 5by20.
Jonathan Bain
Graduated: 1994
'Wow' factor: Co-founder, Bain & Bunkell
Jonathan has been a creative director in South Africa and abroad, for more than fifteen years. He was Creative Strategy Partner at M&C Saatchi Johannesburg, but also headed up departments in Cape Town and Hong Kong.
Jabulani has previously worked at King James and BBDO Cape Town. He studied for a BCom in Information Systems and a BA in Film, Media & Visuals Arts before realising that his true passion lay in advertising. He then studied Copywriting at The Red & Yellow Creative School of Business before starting his career at King James as an intern. Jabulani has won awards at local and international shows, including Cannes, One Show, Loeries, Pendorings, Assegai, and Eagle Awards. He’s also judged at the Loeries, the Africa and the Middle East’s premier advertising awards show.
Juliet Harding
Graduated: 2006
'Wow' factor: Lead woman for electro-swing band GoodLuck
Juliet completed her Diploma in Copywriting in 2006. She's currently the lead woman and songwriter for the award-winning electro-swing band GoodLuck. Their list of achievements and conquests reads like an artists wish list, 9 top 10 radio singles, 5 Number 1 hits, 5 SAMA [South African Music Award] award nominations, a top 10 iTunes Netherlands hit with 'Taking it Easy' and over 500 performances around the world.
Suvesh Arumugam
Graduated: 2018
'Wow' factor: Social Media Manager at Afrihost
Nina Daniel-Gruber
Graduated: 1995
'Wow' factor: Creative director - Retail at Mullen Lowe Group
Nina's had an astounding career in advertising thus far, working for agencies such as Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi Brandsrock, Zoom Advertising and MullenLowe, to name but a few.
Nancy Lockett
Graduated: 2004
'Wow' factor: Head of Marketing, events and sponsorship at FNB
After qualifying, Nancy spent a few years in London and Dubai and then joined FNB in 2013 as the Executive Assistant to Michael Vacy-Lyle, the CEO of FNB Business. She is currently the Head of Marketing, Events and Sponsorship at FNB. Nancy believes in an entrepreneurial culture and can-do attitude.
David Torr
Graduated: 2012
'Wow' factor: CEO of UCook
UCOOK came along and transformed many people’s weekday dinner turmoil. No more stressing about fitting in the grocery shopping or which healthy, quick and delicious meal to make for Wednesday night dinner. We’re proud to say that it was David Torr, one of our alumni, who co-founded this terrific company.
Matt Riley
Graduated: 2003
'Wow' factor: Head of Brand at Over
Matt completed his Diploma in Marketing and Advertising Communications in 2003. And then went on to fulfill senior roles at companies/agencies such as Quirk, BBDO and Indiefin. He is currently the Head of Brand for Over.
Wouter Lombard
Graduated: 2003
'Wow' factor: Co-founder at MyFanpark
Wouter completed his Diploma in Marketing and Advertising Communications in 2003. After graduating, he went on to work at Ogilvy as a Business Director, thereafter M&C Saatchi Abel as Partner in Talent Management.
John Addey Malherbe
Graduated: 1997
'Wow' factor: Founder of Lode Studios
John completed his Diploma in Graphic Design and Art Direction in 1997. After graduating he joined media house Primedia, in 1999 he co-founded JFT Productions and then later he opened his own production company, LODE Studios.
After graduating she’s had an impressive career, joining Nedbank as the Marketing Manager in 2004, then joined Ogilvy as the Business Director and Director of Training in 2005, later on moving to Old Mutual Investment Group as their Head of Marketing and has been the Head of Marketing and Retail Client Services at Prudential Investment Management for the last 7 years.
Andy Hadfield
Graduated: 2002
'Wow' factor: CEO of Forgood
He’s skilled at translating technology into language we can all understand. For the last 5 years, he’s been CEO of forgood.co.za, SA’s biggest corporate and citizen volunteering programme and a pioneering social enterprise in the tech scene.
PJ Eales
Graduated: 2001
'Wow' factor: Group Creative Director at Publicis Machine
Over the last 18 years, he’s spent time at some of South Africa’s biggest agencies including Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, Lowe Bull, The Jupiter Drawing Room, FCB, King James, Metropolitan Republic and in the last 4.5 years, Machine_In 2016 he was promoted from Group Head Copy to Creative Director at Machine_ , in August 2019, Group Creative Director and in November 2019, became Executive Creative Director.
Richard Grossi
Graduated: 2004
'Wow' factor: Group Marketing Strategist at firstEquity Insurance Group
Richard started off his career at agencies such as Net#work BBDO as an Account Executive, later on joining firstEquity as their Group Marketing Strategist.
Nathan Jack
Graduated: 2008
'Wow' factor: Head of Design at FastComm
After graduating he became an international electronic music producer, he founded a company called Split Screen Media and then AppVenture. He is currently the Head of Design (Design Lead) for FastComm.
Meaghan Essel
Graduated: 2016
'Wow' factor: Copywriter at M&C Saatchi Abel
“As a creative, your thoughts are your currency and learning to think in ways you never had to before really opens up parts of your brain you might never have explored.”
Christinah Mazibuko
Graduated: 2019
'Wow' factor: Owner and Director at Fifth Ace Experiential Marketing
Christinah Mazibuko is an Integrated Marketing and Media professional with over 12 years experience in the broadcast, media and entertainment industry. She’s worked for the likes of the SABC, Viacom International Media Networks Africa and on projects like MTN Bushfire Festival, MTV Base Lip Sync Battle in the City 2017 and MTV Base VJ Search 2017/2018.
Nicole Hewitt
Graduated: 2013
'Wow' factor: Brand Manager at Pernod Ricard
After graduating, Nicole went on and joined Ogilvy as an Account Manager. In 2015 she moved over to Pernod Ricard and currently still works there as a Brand Manager.
After graduating Josh has worked across 3 continents, working for top agencies in Africa, Europe and Australia - where he settled in 2001. His career awards total 217, including 2 Black Pencils at D&AD, and 18 Grand Prix - with 3 at Cannes. He is also an emerging screenwriter and author.
Nikki Smal
Graduated: 2007
'Wow' factor: Events Director and Experience Creator at Red & Yellow Creative School of Business
Nikki studied the Diploma in Art Direction & Graphic Design in 2007. Now she works as our awesome Events Director, responsible for putting together incredible events like our annual graduation ceremony and Digital Agency Showcase.