Naledi Mashego
CEO & Founder
CEO & Founder
Naledi is not only the CEO and founder of the internationally recognised digital marketing agency, Cherry Republik, she is also well-known as an accomplished entrepreneur, talented public speaker, savvy business developer and avid traveller.
The following quote by Oprah Winfrey has resonated deeply with Naledi as it has been synonymous with her career development, “In life, you get what you have the courage to ask for.” Having personally experienced the message behind this quote, it has made Naledi the charismatic, enthusiastic, and game-changing entrepreneur that she is today.
From a young age, Naledi had a passion for entrepreneurship, people, and digital marketing. This led to the creation of her first business, Black Cherry Au Pairs, at the age of 19 before she pursued her love for music. Prior to this, she started her career as a real estate agent getting the feel for the corporate and creative work environments.
Naledi went on to work at Trace TV, as the marketing and programming assistant for three years. It was in her experiences and learnings at Trace TV, where she gained the motivation to follow her digital marketing dreams and provide the services that would fill the gap she recognised within the South African market at the time.
On the journey to creating, launching, and building Cherry Republik, Naledi has transformed herself personally and professionally to become resilient, fearless, and most importantly optimistic. She takes pride in the fact that through Cherry Republik’s offerings and services, together with her team she is able to demonstrate the true meaning of marketing by delivering the results the clients are seeking.
Even as a strong business leader, she is still a dynamic team player with the ability to work with and manage diverse teams. It is within her team, witnessing their successes and growth, that she finds the drive and inspiration to bring her best as an authentic leader.
Naledi attributes her success to the vast array of skill sets and knowledge that she gained in the diverse environments she has worked in and believes that they have been instrumental in her growth as an entrepreneur. She also gains a great amount of inspiration through the stories of other entrepreneurs who have overcome the challenges most entrepreneurs face.
With her deep sense of striving for the best and breaking the mould even in the most challenging of circumstances, you know your business is in good hands with Naledi at the helm.
Art Director
Throughout his studies and career, Kgomotso made sure his passion and enthusiasm are displayed through his work. Having worked on a wide range of projects such as branding, social media, and UI/UX design, each project comes with its own set of difficulties and he has enjoyed these challenges and used them to fuel his ambition and maintain high standards.
As a designer, he is more of a problem solver than anything else. This is achieved through communication and understanding the end goal in this industry fuelled by tight deadlines.
He finds satisfaction in knowing he has visually communicated a project to the client’s satisfaction.
Head of Marketing
Even at a young age, Namita has always been passionate about writing. As she ventured into the marketing environment, she has been able to fulfill her love for communication and writing.
Prior to this Namita was involved in the sport, fitness, health, and education industries as a Sport Scientist, allowing her to develop various skill sets in all these various sectors. As career opportunities developed, she moved into marketing where she grew professionally from being a marketing assistant to becoming a marketing manager within a seven-year period. She went on to specialize in Brand Leadership and Communications.
One of Namita’s strongest qualities is being a team player, always willing to lend a helping hand to others. A strong believer in establishing lasting relationships with others making sure that both parties support and grow through the relationship.
Namita is a constant learner at her core and is always looking at ways of learning and growing personally and professionally. She delights in expanding her knowledge base.
Namita enjoys strategically identifying key communication and marketing opportunities to build brands using strategic integrated marketing and communication plans. Implementing these plans through creating the content and being part of the design process is a journey that Namita takes pride in to ensure the clients needs are met and even exceeded.
Digital Marketing Manager
While her background originates in psychology, Catherine found her passion for digital marketing during her university years. Her experience is rooted in the sporting industry, however she aims to grow her skill set while helping brands grow. Communicating the passions and goals of brands is important to her because she has a passion for growth in all areas.
Catherine is a team player. Having played team sports from a young age, she recognises the importance of a strong team dynamic. She loves people and wants to create an environment where everyone feels included.
In her spare time, she enjoys reading and cooking. As a foodie, she enjoys trying new things and different cuisines the world has to offer. She is also an avid hockey player, having played since the age of 10, it is something she is very passionate about.
Executive and Project Administrative Specialist
As a versatile Project Administrator, Personal Assistant, and Marketing Coordinator, Taylor Swanepoel brings a unique blend of organization, adaptability, and communication skills to her new role. With a background in managing projects from inception to execution, Taylor has honed her ability to support teams in planning, coordinating, and successfully achieving project milestones. Her experience spans project management, event coordination, client relations, and strategic research, reflecting her commitment to enhancing both productivity and client satisfaction.
Taylor’s career journey began in the marketing field, a space she was drawn to naturally due to her sociable personality. Over the years, she has embraced various roles across different industries, continually expanding her skill set in project coordination, client engagement, and operational strategy. Some of her notable past experiences include overseeing comprehensive marketing strategies, coordinating high-profile events, and executing successful social media campaigns for international brands. Her organizational skills and ability to manage chaos are distinguishing traits, allowing her to maintain clarity and efficiency even in high-pressure situations.
In the workplace, Taylor is known for her outgoing and friendly personality, often the first to start a conversation and engage with her team members. She values a balanced approach to work and life, believing that professional and personal growth are closely intertwined. A proactive team player, Taylor’s collaborative nature and dedication to excellence consistently help her build strong professional relationships and contribute to effective team dynamics.
Outside of work, Taylor is a hands-on, creative individual with a love for DIY projects, carpentry, and painting. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, swimming, and relaxing with family. Looking forward to her new role, Taylor is excited to contribute her all-rounder skills and support her team’s success, continuing to grow both professionally and personally.
Graphic Designer
At a young age of 16, Ameerah enjoyed photography and drawing abstract art. During her year of studying Events Management at The IIE Varsity College, she had to host an event as part of the design team, and it was through this opportunity that her passion for design sparked and encouraged her to learn more.
As she progressed with her course, Ameerah was thrilled to witness the process of creating ideas from scratch to designing the final concept. With the knowledge and experience Ameerah earned from her Bachelor of Arts degree at STADIO, her goal is to ensure that her work will entice and satisfy inquisitive viewers.
Other than devoting her time to graphic designing, she enjoys hobbies such as cooking, listening to music, playing table tennis, and interacting with her three mischievous cats.
A motto that she carries with herself is “Find yourself before you find your purpose”.
Graphic Designer
Born and raised in the humble city of Pretoria. Since childhood, Themba has always had an interest in painting, drawing and the science behind the arts. His time studying Information Design at the University of Pretoria helped him to hone his talents and skills and become the designer he is today. He is proud to say that he is living his dream!
Themba’s goals are to become a fully equipped versatile motion designer. He wants to be able to create 3D models at a whim and delve into the world of CGI (Computer Generated Images). He believes this will help elevate his game in th