On a Wednesday morning in October, I found myself stepping into the Civic Centre’s banquet hall with equal parts excitement and curiosity. This wasn’t just another meeting in my calendar; I was attending the City’s first ever Communicators Forum. The forum brought together marketing and communications specialists from directorates across the City of Cape Town. For the first time, so many storytellers, strategists, designers, media minds and campaign crafters were gathered under one roof, ready to trade directorate insights, spark ideas and explore how we can elevate both our departmental brands and the City’s voice as a whole.
From the moment Executive Director, Gareth Morgan opened the session, followed by Priya Reddy, Director of Communications, setting the tone for why this gathering truly mattered, I felt a shift. This wasn’t business as usual, it felt like the beginning of a new chapter. One where collaboration wasn’t just encouraged but could possibly become our greatest superpower.
Throughout the morning, we heard insightful perspectives from different teams across Communications each offering a fresh lens on how we serve our residents and tell the City’s story:
Luthando Tyhalibongo, Media Manager on how the Media Office works behind the scenes to keep the public informed and the City’s reputation protected.
Amina Taylor, Production Support Officer on why brand consistency isn’t just design, it’s how we build trust, identity and recognition across the City.
Vanessa Gagu, Campaigns Co-Ordinator on how to tell the story of the City through communication campaigns that resonate with residents.
Sanelisiwe Ntabeni, Social Media Coordinator unpacked the complexities (and realities) of navigating social media in a fast-moving digital landscape.
Justin Lawrence, Digital Communications Manager shared insights into the City’s digital presence and how we are evolving online as well as social media dos and don’ts.
Aletta Kruger, Publications Manager closed with reflections on publications and the importance of storytelling in shaping how the City is experienced.
Sitting in that room surrounded by communicators who bring passion and purpose to their work reminded me that even though our industry is constantly evolving, collaboration will always be at the heart of effective communication. I walked away with valuable learnings and fresh ideas that I’ll be sharing within our department because when we work together, our collective impact grows.
What this means for libraries
Our libraries are buzzing with activity every day. From hosting programmes, supporting communities and nurturing literacy to creating safe, innovative spaces where curiosity thrives. But often, these stories remain tucked inside our buildings like undiscovered treasures. That’s where we come in.
If your library or unit has an upcoming programme or event, a video idea, a story worth telling, or even a small initiative that brought a smile to someone’s day please reach out to the M&C team! No initiative is too big or too small, if it matters to your community, it matters to us. A great example is the recent wedding album discovered at Strandfontein Library, where a couple was reunited with their long-lost wedding photos. So if something interesting unfolds when community members visit your library, snap a quick photo and send us a few lines about it — we’d love to share these moments!
When you share what’s happening on the ground, we can help amplify it across platforms and shine a well-deserved spotlight on the vital and relevant role libraries play in the lives of our residents. With teamwork and shared ideas, we can continue elevating libraries as vibrant hubs of learning, belonging and innovation.
Here’s to telling our stories, together.
Tarcia Eiman
Professional Officer
Marketing & Communications