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Cathy Achilles

@cathyachilles

Communications and media relations professional at U-turn Homeless Ministries, whose opinion pieces appeared in the Cape Times and The Star.

South Africa

Message

At U-turn Homeless Ministries, I represented the organisation in television and radio interviews and wrote website and social media content, including opinion pieces published in the Cape Times and The Star. I also contributed communications support to three fundraising campaigns, each raising more than R2 million.

I founded Kujenga Uhuru (Pty) Ltd, a communications, publishing and media-related business, and co-founded Tag Changers, where I managed youth development programmes in underserved communities. I’ve published 15 opinion pieces in major South African newspapers and represented South Africa at international conferences in England, New Zealand and Finland.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Founder / Director

Current

Kujenga Uhuru (Pty) Ltd

Jun 2016 - Present (10 years 5 months)

Founded a communications, publishing and media-related business providing social media management services. Business currently on hold.

Business Management Social Media Management Communication Skills

Current

National President

Current

Women's Christian Temperance Union of South Africa

Nov 2015 - Present (11 years)

Oversees national activities and leadership of the organisation. Represents the organisation and South Africa in national and international settings.

Leadership Representation Public Speaking

Call Centre Agent

Capita

Sep 2025 - Jan 2026 (4 months)

Handled international inbound customer enquiries in a fast-paced contact-centre environment. Used active listening, clear communication and problem-solving to respond to customer needs.

Customer Service Communication Skills Problem Solving Active Listening

Sales Agent

Home Decor Warehouse

Jul 2024 - Sep 2025 (1 year 2 months)

Sold financial products and explained product information to prospective clients. Achieved total sales of R619,788 during the period of employment, demonstrating persuasive communication and client relationship skills.

Sales Customer Relationship Management Persuasive communication

Spokesperson and Online Media Coordinator

U-turn Homeless Ministries

Sep 2022 - Aug 2023 (11 months)

Represented the organisation in television and radio interviews and public engagements. Wrote and published website and social media content, including opinion pieces published in the Cape Times and The Star.

Media Relations Public Speaking Content Writing Social Media Management WordPress Mailchimp Google Analytics

Social Media Coordinator and Receptionist

U-turn Homeless Ministries

Apr 2022 - Aug 2022 (4 months)

Created, scheduled and published content across the organisation's social media platforms. Prepared newsletters and blog content using Mailchimp and WordPress, and managed reception duties.

Social Media Management Content Creation Mailchimp WordPress Salesforce Reception Duties

Chief Operations Officer

Youth Interpreter Magazine

Nov 2015 - Jun 2016 (7 months)

Oversaw administrative, operational and content management functions for the magazine. Managed and mentored a team of 10 interns and maintained stakeholder relationships.

Operations Management Team Management Mentorship Content Management Social Media Management Public Speaking

Co-founder and Project Manager

Tag Changers

Nov 2008 - Jun 2016 (7 years 7 months)

Co-founded and managed a youth development organisation focused on children and young people in underserved communities. Facilitated drama classes and developmental programmes.

Project Management Youth Development Facilitation Community Engagement Drama

Operations Manager

Youth Interpreter Magazine

Jul 2014 - Oct 2015 (1 year 3 months)

Managed administrative and operational responsibilities, project coordination and stakeholder liaison. Wrote articles and managed publication content and social media platforms.

Operations Management Project Coordination Stakeholder Management Content Writing Social Media Management