Bright Young Minds: Paulina Mamogobo

Paulina Mamogobo is a Director of Trade and Investment Promotion at KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. With over 13 years in the public service, her experience spans economic analysis, policy development, trade, and investment promotion.

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Listen or watch to explore:

• Intro to her role at KZNEDTEA and why it is important.
• Major challenges in the sectors she work in and how it is being addressed.
• Her approach to solving challenges in her professional life.
• How she prioritises what is most important.
• The importance of having a curious mind.
• Her approach to continues learning and how she stays on top of trends and new developments.
• Habits required to stay relevant in the workplace.
• How, as a young South African, she is making sense of what is going on in the country and the world.
• Her vision for future cities, potential barriers and solutions.
• Advice to young people to remain hopeful of the future.

About Paulina Mamogobo
She is a founder of #CupOfCoffeeChats podcast anchored on leadership and entrepreneurship to spur conversation with South Africas #HiddenGems to inspire and envoke leadership and entrepreneurial potential. With over 13 years in the public service, her experience spans economic analysis, policy development, trade, and investment promotion.

Currently, she is a Director of Trade and Investment Promotions at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTA), having spent a greater part of her career at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the tic) working with global blue-chip companies in the Resource-Based Industries (Forestry and Agribusiness), Automotives, Capital Projects, Film and Television, Business Process Services, Export Marketing and Investment Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG).

She was named one of the 2022 Mail and Guardian's 200eminent young South Africans, receiving recognition for the Government and Politics category.

Currently, she is enrolled in her final year of a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) with the Gordon Institute of Business Sciences (GIBS); and holds a Masters degree in Business Leadership (MBL) from UNISA Graduate School of Business Leadership, M-Tech: Comparative Local Development, National Diploma and B-Tech degree in Economic Management Analysis and from the Tshwane University of Technology.

Her professional development includes certification in Facilitating Trade and Investment in African Countries through Regional Economic Cooperation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Investment Promotion for Local Economic Development and Investment Appraisal and Risk Analysis from the University of Johannesburg, African Political Economy and Africa and International Trade from the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute (TMALI). Her professional affiliations include membership with Institute of Directors Southern Africa (IoDSA). She is an experienced adjudicator and currently serves as part of the Da Vinci Institute TT100 Innovation Adjudication Committee.

She has addressed global platforms Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa promoting South African investment and trade opportunities. In her capacity as a speaker, she continues to engage in leadership and strategy talks.

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About the Bright Young Minds Show on Future Cities Africa
Africa has the youngest population in the world. By 2030, young Africans are expected to make up 42 percent of the world's youth and account for 75 percent of the those under age 35 in Africa.

Young peoples' experiences, ideas, choices and preferences help shape the future of cities.

The Bright Young Minds show gives a voice to some of the brightest young minds to share their thought leadership, how they solve problems, their vision for future cities, how we can achieve this vision, and give hope to a younger generation.

Youth is the future of African cities.