South Africa Tech Marketers

From Local to Global: How SA Marketers Can Compete Globally

In this episode of South Africa Tech Marketers, Kirsti Lang sits down with Kirsten Van Rooyen, Associate Director of Marketing Strategy at Superside, to unpack what it takes to build a global marketing career from South Africa.
Kirsten shares her non-traditional path—from working in the music industry to leading marketing strategy for a fully remote, global company. She breaks down how South African marketers can position themselves for international roles, master performance marketing, and navigate remote work effectively.
Whether you're looking to land a job at an international tech company, level up your marketing skills, or understand the realities of remote work, this episode delivers practical insights.
Topics Discussed:
How South African marketers stand out globally
The challenges and benefits of working remotely in international teams
How to position yourself for success in international hiring
The role of data in marketing strategy
How Superside builds high-performance remote creative teams
Why marketing success requires a mix of creativity and analytics
Key Takeaways:
South Africans have a competitive advantage in global marketing due to their adaptability, problem-solving skills, and ability to work across cultures.
Remote work requires structure and intentionality. Without clear boundaries and proactive relationship-building, it can become isolating.
Hiring managers in global companies look for autonomy, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. Demonstrate these in your applications and interviews.
Understanding data is essential for modern marketers. The ability to analyze performance and optimize campaigns separates high-impact marketers from the rest.
Success in international marketing comes from balancing creative instincts with data-driven decision-making.
Links & Resources:
Explore Superside: superside.com
Connect with Kirsten Van Rooyen: Kirsten’s LinkedIn
Looking for a global marketing role? Visit GlobalTalent.co

From South African Journalist to Global SEO Writer: Shea Karssing’s Journey

In this episode of South African Tech Marketers, Shea Karssing breaks down exactly how she built a high-paying international writing career, landed global tech clients, and priced her services in USD—without relying on local pay scales.
Shea started her career as a journalist in South Africa before transitioning into freelance SEO writing. As the demand for specialized content grew, she pivoted to content marketing, working with global tech brands and helping businesses scale their organic traffic. Now, she runs a thriving freelance business, managing high-impact SEO content strategies for international clients—all while working remotely from SA.
Topics Discussed:
How Shea transitioned from journalism to global SEO writing
Breaking into international freelance work (without a big global portfolio)
The best way to attract high-paying tech clients—without competing on job boards
Why South African writers and marketers have a competitive edge internationally
Managing global clients and working across multiple time zones
Essential AI tools to optimize your workflow and increase efficiency
Pricing strategies: How to confidently charge USD rates for your work

How to Land International Marketing Jobs (From a South African Who's Done It Twice)

In this episode of South African Tech Marketers, Herman Eloff, Chief of Staff at Turning Pro Podcast, breaks down exactly how he landed two international marketing jobs—and how you can do it too.
Herman started his career as a crime reporter in South Africa before transitioning into digital media. As the media landscape shifted, he pivoted to content marketing, leading digital teams and working with global brands. Now, he runs operations and content for a US-based podcast, managing everything from guest bookings to content distribution—all while working remotely from SA.
Topics Discussed:
How Herman transitioned from journalism to global content marketing
Breaking into international remote work (without years of global experience)
The best way to get noticed by international companies—without sending 100 CVs
Why South Africans are highly competitive in the global job market
Managing time zones and productivity while working New York hours
The AI tools that can help you work smarter, not harder
Financial must-knows when earning in dollars or pounds
 Key Takeaways:1. Work smarter, not harder. South Africans are known for their work ethic, but working harder isn’t the answer—efficiency is.2.  Your network is your best asset. The best jobs come from referrals, not job boards. Build relationships before you need them.3. Position yourself for international opportunities. Use LinkedIn strategically—your next employer is looking.4. Remote work should fit into your life. Focus on output, not hours at a desk. Flexibility is the real advantage.5.  AI is your secret weapon. Herman uses AI for fact-checking, content ideation, and automation, making him more efficient.

A Playbook for Global Marketing: How Elana Kroon Built a SaaS Career

In this episode of South African Tech Marketers, Elana Kroon, Senior Content Manager at Eat App, shares the real playbook for breaking into global SaaS marketing, scaling content with a lean team, and building a career in international tech—without ever leaving South Africa.
Elana started her career as a journalist, covering breaking news and entertainment stories. But as the media industry shifted, she recognized a bigger opportunity: content marketing. By applying her storytelling and research skills, she pivoted into tech, mastering SEO, brand storytelling, and data-driven content to drive measurable impact.Today, she runs content for Eat App, an international SaaS company, leading strategy across SEO, brand, and demand-gen marketing—all as a team of one.
Topics Discussed:
Transitioning from journalism to SaaS marketing without a traditional background
The content prioritization framework for small, high-impact teams
How to position yourself for remote SaaS roles from South Africa
SEO vs. performance content—balancing brand storytelling with conversion-focused content
The difference between big marketing teams vs. lean, agile teams
How to use LinkedIn as a demand-gen tool for your career
The biggest challenges and advantages of working in a global SaaS company
 
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Want to work with an US and EU company?
Visit our open marketing roles here: https://globaltalent.co/talent/

Marketing to Media Maven: Sivu Giba's Career Evolution

In this episode of South Africa Tech Marketers, Sivu Giba, founder of Sibubukle Media, shares her journey from marketing graduate to building a thriving media empire in the Eastern Cape. From working on international productions like Mad Max: Fury Road to creating a one-stop media shop serving global clients, Sivu offers practical insights on building a business that bridges local talent with international opportunities.
Topics Discussed:
Traditional marketing foundations and pivoting into creative industries
Building a full-service media company in an emerging market
Working with international productions and managing global clients
Developing regional talent and creating opportunity pipelines
Pricing strategies for service-based businesses
The importance of strong business foundations
Balancing multiple service offerings under one brand
Creating pathways for new talent in the film industry
 

Zara Ally Said: Why Networks Built Her Career

In this episode of South Africa Tech Marketers, Zara Ally Said, Director of Operations at FCB Africa, shares her fascinating journey from teenage TV presenter to advertising industry leader. Starting with no experience but plenty of determination, Zara reveals how creativity, calm leadership, and strategic networking shaped her success in South Africa's competitive advertising landscape.
Topics Discussed:
Transitioning from entertainment to advertising without prior experience
Building project management skills and leading creative teams
Balancing high-pressure career demands with family life
Navigating hybrid work arrangements effectively
The importance of networking in career advancement
Managing multiple stakeholders in advertising operations
Implementing creative solutions for workflow optimization

From Drama School to Global Tech: Why South African Marketers Have an Edge

In this episode of South Africa Tech Marketers, we sit down with Gila Shapiro, Product Marketing Manager at Riverside FM, to explore her unconventional journey from drama student to global tech marketing. With experience at three international companies, Gila shares candid insights about breaking into remote work, leveraging South African strengths, and building a successful global marketing career.
Topics Discussed:
Transitioning from traditional advertising to global tech marketing
Breaking into international remote work opportunities
The unique advantages South African marketers bring to global companies
Balancing remote work with family life
Product marketing and creative strategy at Riverside
The importance of testing and data-driven marketing decisions
Different career paths within marketing

From Journalism to Award-Winning Marketing: Building Brand Story with Jerusha Raath

In this episode of South Africa Tech Marketers, Jerusha Raath takes us through her remarkable journey from news journalist dodging stun grenades to leading a team of 9 that won “Best Native Advertising Studio” globally in 2023. Starting with a mission to find new revenue streams for journalism, she’s transformed Media24’s commercial content studio into a data-driven powerhouse where every team member owns both content creation and performance tracking, and shares practical insights for South African marketers looking to build award-winning careers – from leveraging our natural storytelling abilities to creating measurable brand impact.
Topics Discussed:
Transitioning from journalism to marketing leadership
Building and leading an award-winning creative studio
The power of South African storytelling in global marketing
Data-driven approach to content creation and optimization
Overcoming imposter syndrome in marketing careers
The unique advantages South African marketers bring to global companies
Takeaways: 
Storytelling is in our South African DNA – use this superpower in your marketing career.
Ask questions shamelessly – the smartest people in the room are usually the ones seeking clarity.
Stop letting imposter syndrome hold you back, especially in global companies – South Africans bring unique strengths like emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Data-driven storytelling is essential – track your campaign performance and understand why content succeeds or fails.
Find mentors who can guide your journey and be your sounding board when you need it most.
Your previous career skills (like journalism) can be powerful assets in marketing – embrace your unique background.
Being South African in global marketing is an advantage, not a disadvantage – we’re natural connectors and problem solvers.
Let go of work guilt and focus on doing your best in each moment.
Never stop learning through communities, podcasts, and staying curious about the industry.