Zobuzwe Ngobese was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and matriculated at Pholela high school –which is 90km outside his hometown. He furthered his studies, graduating with a BA in English and Political Science (Natal University, Pietermaritzburg); BA Honours in International Relations (Rhodes University); and a Higher Diploma in International Relations (Rhodes University). In 2006, Zobuzwe was awarded a bursary by the Institute of Directors to study Management at UCT, which he successfully completed with three distinctions in Leadership Management, Human Resources and Economics.

At the beginning of his career, he established himself as a financial journalist at Johnnic Publishing in Johannesburg, and the Business Report in Durban. Zobuzwe is passionate about public relations, people and sport, and his key focus will be the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“My main objective is to make sure that public relations helps adidas spread its business messages to all relevant stakeholders, and I intend to work closely with the media,” says Zobuzwe.

He adds: “As somebody who is passionate about sports, the adidas job was for me the perfect choice, because it combines PR and sport/soccer.”