I'm Hlenga Manzini, a Creative Director with over 15 years in the creative industry. I blend strategy with vibrant design to craft brand identities, campaigns, and experiences that connect with people. I thrive on leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact work for clients. I enjoy collaborative leadership, guiding projects from concept to delivery, and building strong client relationships to ensure memorable, impactful results.…

Hlenga Manzini

I'm Hlenga Manzini, a Creative Director with over 15 years in the creative industry. I blend strategy with vibrant design to craft brand identities, campaigns, and experiences that connect with people. I thrive on leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact work for clients. I enjoy collaborative leadership, guiding projects from concept to delivery, and building strong client relationships to ensure memorable, impactful results.…

Available to hire

I’m Hlenga Manzini, a Creative Director with over 15 years in the creative industry. I blend strategy with vibrant design to craft brand identities, campaigns, and experiences that connect with people. I thrive on leading multi-disciplinary teams to deliver high-impact work for clients.

I enjoy collaborative leadership, guiding projects from concept to delivery, and building strong client relationships to ensure memorable, impactful results.

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Skills

Experience Level

Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Co-Founder & Creative Director at Never Better Creatives
January 1, 2019 - Present
Lead business development, develop and implement overall creative direction and vision for projects, manage teams and client relationships, provide strategic leadership, inspire creativity, and ensure delivery of high-quality and impactful creative work to represent clients.
Creative Group Head at Ogilvy South Africa
December 31, 2018 - August 13, 2025
Led a team of designers, copywriters, art directors, and other creative professionals, overseeing execution of multiple campaigns and pitch work for new business. Sat on the advisory committee for Ogilvy Public Relations.
Senior Art Director at Ogilvy South Africa
December 31, 2016 - August 13, 2025
Established overall design direction, set project goals, ensured design objectives were met, and contributed to business development by putting together pitches.
Mid Weight Art Director at Blaqhead Design Studio
December 31, 2015 - August 13, 2025
Developed designs for brand identities, online, print, and activations; collaborated with cross-functional teams including marketing and product development.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Phakama Mpumalanga Festival
January 1, 2023 - Present
Oversaw the development of visual identity, campaign themes, content, and activations while working closely with artists, partners, and the production team.
Creative Director at The Hive Group
December 31, 2025 - August 13, 2025
Oversaw content creation, brand storytelling, and digital engagement initiatives to drive impactful marketing solutions for clients.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Never Better Creatives
January 1, 2019 - Present
Lead business development and define the overall creative direction and vision for projects; manage teams and client relationships; provide strategic leadership to deliver high-quality, impactful work.
Creative Group Head at Ogilvy South Africa
January 1, 2018 - October 10, 2025
Led a multidisciplinary team of designers, copywriters, and art directors; oversaw multiple campaigns and pitch work; served on the advisory committee for Ogilvy Public Relations.
Senior Art Director at Ogilvy South Africa
January 1, 2016 - October 10, 2025
Established design direction, set project goals, and ensured design objectives were met; produced pitches for new business development.
Mid Weight Art Director at Blaqhead Design Studio
January 1, 2015 - October 10, 2025
Developed brand identities, online and print collateral, and activations; collaborated with marketing and product teams.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Phakama Mpumalanga Festival
January 1, 2023 - Present
Oversee visual identity, campaign themes, content, and activations; collaborate with artists, partners, and production teams.
Creative Director at The Hive Group
January 1, 2025 - October 10, 2025
Oversee content creation, brand storytelling, and digital engagement initiatives to drive impactful marketing solutions for clients.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Never Better Creatives
January 1, 2019 - Present
Responsible for business development and implementing the overall creative direction and vision for projects. I manage teams and client relationships, provide strategic leadership, inspire creativity, and ensure delivery of high-quality, impactful work that represents our clients.
Creative Group Head at Ogilvy South Africa
January 1, 2018 - October 10, 2025
Led a team of designers, copywriters, art directors, and other creatives, overseeing the execution of multiple campaigns and pitch work for new business. Also served on the advisory committee for Ogilvy Public Relations.
Senior Art Director at Ogilvy South Africa
January 1, 2016 - October 10, 2025
Established overall design direction, set project goals, and ensured design objectives were met. Played a key role in assembling pitches for business development.
Mid Weight Art Director at Blaqhead Design Studio
January 1, 2015 - October 10, 2025
Developed designs for brand identities, online, print, and activations, collaborating with cross-functional teams including marketing and product development.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Phakama Mpumalanga Festival
January 1, 2023 - Present
Oversee development of visual identity, campaign themes, content, and activations, working closely with artists, partners, and the production team.
Creative Director at The Hive Group
January 1, 2025 - October 10, 2025
Overseeing content creation, brand storytelling, and digital engagement initiatives to drive impactful marketing solutions for clients.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Never Better Creatives
January 1, 2019 - Present
My role entails business development, developing and implementing the overall creative direction and vision for projects, as well as managing teams and client relationships. I provide strategic leadership, inspire creativity, and ensure the delivery of high-quality and impactful creative work to represent our clients.
Creative Group Head at Ogilvy South Africa
January 1, 2018 - October 10, 2025
Led a team of designers, copywriters, art directors, and other creative professionals, overseeing the execution of multiple campaigns and pitch work for new business. Also sat on the advisory committee for Ogilvy Public Relations.
Senior Art Director at Ogilvy South Africa
January 1, 2016 - October 10, 2025
Established the overall design direction, set project goals, and ensured that design objectives were met. A key component was putting together pitches for business development.
Mid Weight Art Director at Blaqhead Design Studio
January 1, 2015 - October 10, 2025
Developed designs for brand identities, online, print as well as activations, while collaborating with cross-functional teams including marketing and product development.
Co-Founder & Creative Director at Phakama Mpumalanga Festival
January 1, 2023 - Present
Oversee the development of visual identity, campaign themes, content, and activations, working closely with artists, partners, and the production team.
Creative Director at The Hive Group
January 1, 2025 - October 10, 2025
Overseeing content creation, brand storytelling, and digital engagement initiatives to drive impactful marketing solutions for clients.

Education

BA Degree in Brand Communications Specialising in Multimedia at Vega School - Benmore
January 1, 2005 - December 31, 2006
Diploma in Graphic Design at Midrand Graduate Institute - Midrand
January 1, 2002 - December 31, 2004
Certificate in Travel & Tourism at Speciss College - Harare
January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2001
National Senior Certificate (Matric) at Nelspruit Private College - Nelspruit
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2000
Introduction to Web Development at City Varsity - Braamfontein
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014
BA Degree in Brand Communications specialising in Multimedia at Vega School - Benmore
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Diploma in Graphic Design at Midrand Graduate Institute - Midrand
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
Certificate in Travel & Tourism at Speciss College - Harare
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001
National Senior Certificate (Matric) at Nelspruit Private College - Nelspruit
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2000
BA Degree in Brand Communications specializing in Multimedia at City Varsity
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
Diploma in Graphic Design at Vega School - Benmore
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Diploma in Graphic Design at Midrand Graduate Institute - Midrand
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
Certificate in Travel & Tourism at Speciss College - Harare
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001
National Senior Certificate (Matric) at Nelspruit Private College - Nelspruit
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2000
Introduction to Web Development at City Varsity - Braamfontein
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2014
BA Degree in Brand Communications Specialising in Multimedia at Vega School - Benmore
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Diploma in Graphic Design at Midrand Graduate Institute - Midrand
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
Certificate in Travel & Tourism at Speciss College - Harare
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001
National Senior Certificate (Matric) at Nelspruit Private College - Nelspruit
January 1, 2000 - January 1, 2000

Qualifications

Certificate in Travel & Tourism
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001
Diploma in Graphic Design
January 1, 2002 - January 1, 2004
BA Degree in Brand Communications specialising in Multimedia
January 1, 2005 - January 1, 2006
Certificate in Travel & Tourism
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2001

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Professional Services, Education, Software & Internet, Other

Skills

Experience Level