Yvonne Johnston is leaving the International Marketing Council of South Africa (IMC) at the end of April, IMC Chair Wendy Luhabe announced today.

Ms Luhabe said this was due to a breakdown in relations between Yvonne Johnston, the CEO of Brand South Africa, and the Government Communication and Information Service (GCIS). However, Ms Johnston will continue to consult to the IMC to steer some of its present initiatives.

"The departure is by mutual and amicable agreement, and all parties have agreed not to elaborate further. I would like to thank Yvonne for her unremitting work over the past six years and for the enormous contribution she has made to building Brand South Africa," Ms Luhabe said.

Yvonne Johnston said: "It was a great privilege to market my country, I am sad to leave but I wish it and Brand South Africa well in the future."

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