COMMUNICATION7 AUG 2026The woman who believes words can change livesDuring the Covid-19 pandemic, Mo Senne discovered the true power of communication, transforming it from mere media coverage into a vital tool for connecting those in need with…Amahle Banda6 min read

From award-winning campaigns to community advocacy, Mo Senne is proving that communication is about more than telling stories. It is about helping people find hope, dignity and a voice When South Africa came to a standstill during the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people were anxious about what the next day would bring. Some worried about their jobs.

Others worried about their health. Many wondered how they would put food on the table. It was during this time that Mo Senne discovered what communication could really do.

It was no longer about media coverage or carefully written statements. It became a way to connect people who wanted to help with those who desperately needed support. It became a tool for restoring dignity when hope was running low.

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Working with Not In My Name International, Senne helped lead communications for the organisation’s Food Parcel Drive. The campaign brought together volunteers, businesses and communities at a time when South Africans needed one another more than ever. Every message had a purpose.

Every post, interview and call to action helped move food, resources and support to families in need. The campaign later received a United Nations SDG Action Award but for Senne, the biggest reward was seeing the direct impact on people’s lives. “It showed me that communication is not just about sharing information,” she says.

“It can protect people’s dignity. It can bring people together and it can save lives.” The experience changed the direction of her career. It also gave her a purpose that guides her work today.

Today, Senne is a senior communications officer at Rhodes University and head of communications and research at Not In My Name International. She has become known for leading campaigns that speak to real issues facing South Africans. Her work has taken her into universities, government spaces and civil society organisations, where difficult conversations often require careful leadership.

Yet she does not see communication as a means of controlling public opinion; she sees it as a way to help people understand one another. For her, every campaign begins with a simple question. Who are the people at the heart of this story and how can their voices be heard?

That way of thinking has shaped every stage of her career. Instead of treating communities as audiences waiting for information, she believes they should be partners in creating it. Listening comes before speaking.

Respect comes before publicity. She believes the strongest messages are not created in boardrooms. They come from the lived experiences of ordinary people.

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