Since 1997, The Social Mix has delivered strategic communications, events, development projects, and organisational communication across South Africa’s most respected public, private, multilateral, and diplomatic institutions. Our work spans government, development finance, international organisations, corporate, energy, education, healthcare, telecommunications, and cultural sectors — locally and internationally.
We don’t just execute briefs. We build lasting partnerships, manage complexity, and deliver outcomes that endure.
Government & High-Level International Events
Our most recent and significant work includes serving as Events Manager for South Africa’s G20 Finance Track Presidency in 2025 — delivering high-level events for National Treasury and the SA Reserve Bank, working with international government delegations, finance ministers, and senior officials across full event design, cultural programming, logistics, protocol, and communications.
For GTAC/National Treasury, we have been a trusted implementation partner since 2020, delivering the International Public Economics Conference (2023 and 2024), the Government Spending Reviews Conference (2021 and 2022), the Behavioural Economics Summer Schools (2021 and 2022), the GTAC Public Economics Online Winter School (2021 and 2022), and various investment appraisal workshops and capacity development programmes. This is our fifth consecutive engagement with GTAC — a relationship built on consistent delivery and institutional trust.
Earlier landmark events include the UNFPA She Decides International Conference (2018), the World Bank Urban Forum International Conference in Pretoria (2017, 250+ international delegates), the SA Tourism E-Tourism Africa Summit (2016, 400 visitors), and the SA Institute of Architects National Conference (2018, 800 visitors).
Diplomatic & Cultural Events
We have produced and managed premium events for multiple foreign missions and embassies operating in South Africa. These include Deutschland Fest for the Embassy of Germany (2019, 2,000 visitors, 140+ paid practitioners), the Fête de la Musique International Music Festival in partnership with the Embassy of France and Alliance Française Pretoria (2015–2019, five annual editions, 1,000–4,000 visitors per event), the Norwegian National Day (2019), the Global Citizen Event for the Embassy of Denmark (2018), and National Day events for Brazil and France. We also produced the Official World Choir Games Participants’ Village — a two-week cultural experience attracting 15,000+ visitors — and the public launch of the Javett-UP Art Centre at the University of Pretoria (2019, 1,000+ visitors).
Placemaking & Cultural Economy
Since 2009, we have been a driving force in the regeneration of Pretoria’s inner city. We founded and managed Market@theSheds — Pretoria’s flagship live music, arts and lifestyle market, operating from 2014 to 2024, with 140+ events and 800–2,000 visitors per event. Rated #15 Best Tourist Market Globally by TripAdvisor and featured in CNN Travel, BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, and Culture Trip. We were instrumental in establishing the 012central precinct concept, made possible through an informal Public-Private-Community Partnership. Additional placemaking work includes community action and guided tours at Church Square, the Freedom Park Music and Artisan Festival, Music in the Park at the Pretoria Zoo, Tshwane Open Golf Tournament cultural activations, the Water Sustainability Wall at TUT Arts Campus (Danish Embassy), the Women’s Commemoration Wall (Gauteng Department of Arts, Sport, Culture and Recreation), and the Megaphone Me public sculpture installations.
Development Communication & Public Sector
We have produced landmark development communication outputs for some of the continent’s most significant institutions — including the UNDP South and East Africa Impact Report 2012, the NEPAD Capacity Development Strategic Framework publication, the GCIS SA Yearbook multimedia editions (2009, 2011, 2012), the Department of Social Development’s national caregiver training toolkit, the City of Tshwane’s “40 Great Projects in the Capital” publication, the Department of Trade and Industry communications skills audit and restructuring programme, and a SMME and Entrepreneur Development concept plan to the Department of Arts & Culture. We also conceptualised three community arts projects for the Gauteng Department of Arts and Culture.
Organisational & Internal Communication
Our organisational communication track record includes some of South Africa’s best-known corporates. For Sasol, we delivered comprehensive change communication campaigns, media production, recognition systems, communication training, and skills development. For Multichoice, we produced strategic communication campaigns, industrial theatre, intranet content, and an Employee Report that was a finalist for the SA Publications Board Awards. For the SA Post Office, we developed an internationally award-winning campaign on ethical conduct — recognised with the World Mail Award 2003 for best campaign internationally. Further organisational communication clients include North West University, Aquarius Platinum SA, Clover, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Deloitte and Touche, First National Bank, AVBOB, Eskom, and Tiger Brands.
Speaking & Thought Leadership
Mareli Wassenaar has spoken on city regeneration, social investment, placemaking, and community development at Pecha Kucha events, the UNISA Future of the City Centre Symposium (2019) and the Urban Renewal Conference, Amabhubesi (2016). She has also participated as presenter and facilitator at SA Cities Network webinars, the GIBS Neighbourhood Development Programme, and multiple Capital Collective NPC’s programmes.
Selected Clients
GTAC/National Treasury · SA Reserve Bank · G20 Finance Track · World Bank · UNDP · UNFPA · SA Tourism · City of Tshwane · Embassy of Germany · Embassy of France · Embassy of Norway · Embassy of Denmark · Embassy of Brazil · Javett-UP Art Centre · SA Institute of Architects · Sasol · Multichoice · SA Post Office · North West University · Tshwane University of Technology · Clover · Tiger Brands · NEPAD · GCIS · Department of Trade and Industry · Department of Social Development · Gauteng Department of Arts and Culture · SA National Energy Association · First National Bank · Deloitte and Touche · SEDA · Roche Pharmaceuticals
Awards & Recognition
World Mail Award 2003 — Best Campaign Internationally, Security Category (SA Post Office) | SA Publications Board Finalist — Employee Report (Multichoice) | IABC — Best International Chapter Performance & Volunteer of the Year 2007 | TripAdvisor — Top 15 Tourist Markets Globally (Market@theSheds) CNN Travel, BBC Travel, Lonely Planet, Culture Trip — Featured destination (Market@theSheds)