03/06/2026
Where Data Meets Marketing: A Masterclass That Inspired Future Professionals
The Department of Marketing Management hosted a Masterclass on afternoon of 22 May 2026 at the 2nd Avenue Campus of Nelson Mandela University, bringing together students, academics, external guests, and marketing professionals in a hybrid format. Dr Lawrence Mandhlazi (Programme Director and Lecturer) and a large cohort of Marketing Management students attended in person, while others joined online via MS Teams. Co-hosted by Mrs Monica Tshangana (Communication and Marketing Officer), the session featured Mr Atandile Ngubelanga (Lecturer at CPUT and former Senior Category Commercial Specialist at Woolworths Foods), who presented on “The Impact of Data Analytics in Digital Marketing.”
The session stood out for its practical, straight-to-the-point, and time-conscious delivery, combined with a highly interactive engagement where students actively asked insightful and relatable questions that expanded on key takeaways, the speaker’s industry experience, and the role of AI in marketing. Discussions highlighted critical industry realities, including shifting consumer behaviour, market competitiveness, supplier negotiations, and the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making. The Q&A interaction further demonstrated strong student engagement, reflecting a clear understanding of the subject, curiosity about real-world applications, and awareness of opportunities and challenges in a data-driven marketing environment. Students were encouraged to strengthen their analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills while remaining adaptable and committed to continuous learning. The continued success of the masterclass series has generated growing excitement and anticipation, and stakeholders are encouraged to watch this space for upcoming sessions that will continue to bridge academic learning and industry practice.
