Available to book from POA. For an accurate quote please make an enquiry.
Languages: English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana, Sepedi, isiZulu, isiXhosa, French, Spanish and Portuguese
Qualifications
2025 - PhD, Journalism and Media Studies, Wits University
2021 - MA, Journalism and Media Studies, Wits University
2010 - MMP Cert, Media Management, Stellenbosch University
2009 - Post Grad Dip, Journalism and Media Studies, Wits University
1997 - BA Com (Hons), Communications, North West University
1996 - BA Com, Communications, North West University
Programme Director & Motivational Speaker
2026 – Fame Week Africa: Zakes Bantwini Grammy Winner (Host and Facilitator)
2025 – South African Library Week (Motivational Speaker)
2025 – Kobo Table Talk, Lekgotla on the Basotho Blankets (Speaker)
2025 – Standard Bank Joy of Jazz, JazzWise Youth Workshop (MC)
2024 – Lesotho Spring Music Workshop (Judge and Motivational Speaker)
2024 - EmpowaYouth Week (Speaker)
Self-employed 2019 – present
Served on a panel at the 2025 International Association of Literary Journalism Studies presented at the University of Gdansk in Poland and at Universite de Lorraine in Nancy in France.
PR and publicity for the Mzansi Magic TV drama The Queen (Ferguson Films), writing for Tagged Online (DStv), researcher/historian for the Sowetan40xNetflix project and communications consultant at Open Mic Productions. Features Writer Vutivi Business News, Project Lead at HM Entertainment and Spokesperson for the South African Music Awards (RiSA).
Scriptwriting and production: Season 12 of Motswako on SABC2 (Carol Bouwer Productions).
Scriptwriting (live events): Gauteng Sport Awards, Lilizela Tourism Awards, Gauteng Accelerator Programme (GAP) Awards, YFM 21st Birthday Celebration, Simon Sabela Mabhunu Film And Television Awards, Gauteng Township Entrepreneurship Awards and Basadi in Music Awards.
Business writing/press releases: SA Tourism, Unilever, Universal Music, Open Mic Productions.
Magazines
Wrote for Top Billing Magazine, Bona and Rootz.
Radio
I hosted a weekly entertainment news segment on MetroFM (2000 – 2003); YFM (2003 – 2006); Motsweding FM (2003 – 2007); and KayaFM (2012).
I also commented on South African social and pop culture matters on UK’s BBC Radio.
Employment History
Associate-Lecturer: March 2023 – present at Wits Centre for Journalism, University of the Witwatersrand
Teaching Journalism Practice
History of Journalism and Feature Writing (Honours)
Mentoring and supervising longform and narrative journalism (Masters)
Sowetan 2014 – 2019
Section Head: As Entertainment Editor of the national daily newspaper
Writer and Editor of daily news and feature stories
Managed Team of both full-time and freelance reprters throughout the Country
Department Budget Management
Mentored and groomed younger Journalist
Public and Stakeholder Relations
Newspaper Spokesperson
City Press 2008 – 2014
Section head: As Editor of City Pulse (supplement for the weekly national newspaper)
Writer and Editor of weekly news and feature stories
Manager and Monitor for various Projects
Managed team of both full-time and freelance reporters throughout the Country
Department Budget Management
Mentored and groomed younger Journalist
Public and Stakeholder Relations
Newspaper Spokesperson
Sunday Times 1998 – 2008
Reporter: Court reporter attending court proceedings and gathering information for publication in the newspaper.
Entertainment Reporter: Keeping up with trends in Arts, showbusiness and Entertainment
Followed stories about characters abd personalities that populate these fields
Writting of column, opinion, investigative and breaking news
Covered General Elections of 1999 and 2004
Sunday Times Magazine: Wrote column, entertainment features and assisted Sub-Editors
TV editor: Covered features and trend pieces
Books
Author: Bitch, Please! I’m Khanyi Mbau (2012) Tafelberg
Author: Dominoes: Unbreakable Spirit – The story of Somizi Mhlongo (2017) Brand Arc Media
Editor: The Nothing Ones Part 1 and 2 by Lebohang Nthongoa (2017) Self-publishing
Author: Born Not Made: The Story of Matthew Molobeng (2018) Molobeng Mining Academy
Co-Author: My Modern African Kitchen: Chef Nti Cookbook (2019) Quivertree Publications
Editor: Yvonne Chaka Chaka Story for Kids by Beatrice Acheleke (2019) Globuntu Books
Editor and Project Lead: Robbie Malinga – The Legend (2021) Inspired Publishing
Editor and Project Lead: Secrets of Superpowered Moms (2022) Self-publishing
Editorial Director and Project Lead: The Art of Cognac (2023) Timeless Opulence
Author: The Man Who Shook Mountains (2023) Jonathan Ball Publishing
Book chapters/Articles
Journal article: “Convening Black Sociability Over a Corpse: Obituaries in the Early South African Black Press.” Media and Communication (2025)
Journal article: “The Cry of Plaatje: The Representation of Black Agency and Pain in The Mafeking Diary during the Mafeking Siege of 1899 to 1900.” Literary Journalism Studies (2026) Bill Reynolds (Ed) (in press)
Book chapter: “The Mafeking Diary of Sol Plaatje and the History of Literary Journalism in South Africa.” Revisiting Sol Plaatje’s Mafeking Diary (2023) Sabata-mpho Mokae and Brian Willan (Eds).
Postgraduate supervision
Masters: Silindile Masikane: What impact did COVID-19 have on the coverage of court cases in South Africa by television broadcasters?
Timothy Molobi: Football development in South Africa and its influence on the performance of the senior men’s national team, Bafana Bafana.
Honours: Xanderleigh Dookey: Does Daily Sun newspaper sensationalise and perpetuate stereotypes about traditional healers in South Africa? Pass with Distinction
Academic conferences
Producer: 20th African Investigative Journalists Conference (AIJC) and Journalist of the Year awards show 30 October to 1 November 2024. Wits University.
Presentations
International Association of Literary Journalism Studies Conference – 13 May 2022, Rhodes University, Makhanda Title of Panel: Narrating a response to coercion and confinement: South Africans during the Boer War.
International Association of Literary Journalism Studies Conference – 20 May 2023, University of Gdansk, Poland. Title: The Invisibility of Black Experiences and Alternative Literary Spaces during the Boer War.
Summer School Universite de Lorraine, France. May to June 2023. Title: Sol T. Plaatje, Fearless Denouncer.
Protea Project: Wits University and Universite de Lorraine, France. Literary Journalism during the Boer War (1899 to 1902) On-going.
International Communications Association, 16 November 2023, University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa. Rereading the African Archive: Sol Plaatje’s newspapers and their construction of a black public.
The International Association for Media and History – 29 January 2024, Dublin, Ireland. Sol Plaatje and War: Decoding and encoding World War 1 for a Setswana public sphere.
In Their Words: Black Narratives in the Boer-War – 11 October 2024, Zoom.
Affiliations
International Association of Literary Journalism Studies (IALJS)
Archive and Public Culture – Lesotho Research Group (University of Cape Town)
Historical Publications Southern Africa (HiPSA)
Wake Up Everybody (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes)
Young, Gifted and Black (Aretha Franklin)
Balance (Tuks Senganga)
Now or Never (Sankomota)
Shela (Sam Deep, Nia Pearl, Boohle and Mano)
We need ample performance stage, professional AV Tech service provider, countryman microphone for MC, contact details for Event Organizer & AV Company
We require area and directions, parking and accessibility, event layout/floorplan, contact person, emergency plan & contact points,
Unfortunately we don't.
Unfortunately we don't
I prefer a cordless countryman/earpiece microphone. It allows me to move freely, use gestures, and focus on engaging with the audience – hands-free and hassle-free.
Fame Week Facilitator and Host :Talk with Grammy Award Winner "Zakes Bantwini" at Cape Town International Conference
Corporate and Private Events, MC, Motivational Talks, Speaking engagements
Is this question not most relevant to bands, perhaps?
Is this question not most relevant to bands, perhaps?
Professionally, I thrive on story telling, in writing, bringing various pieces together, networking and connecting with people. What I do as an MC and Speaker; is usually a collaborative effort between ourselves and our clients. Observing the final product and client's message being relayed it bring utmost pleasure.
Personally, I follow my own rules and colour outside the lines. Started off as a journalist trailing Brenda Fassie, paparazzi style, I soon found myself behind the mic as an entertainment and cultural commentator on a few radio stations. I even featured on Strictly Come Dancing. I wrote celebrity biographies from Khanyi Mbau to Somizi Mhlongo. Now I hold a doctorate in journalism and media studies from Wits University. I do things my way, I am unconventional. I am ambitious, a dreamer and a doer. I thrive in challenging circumstances and always win because I motivate myself and am fiercely independent but at the same time a team player who enjoys mentoring others.
We ensure that we attend rehearsal and sound check the day prior or earlier on event day. Depending on the client's requirement, we usually arrive 1hour prior to commencement of the event.
We're happy to perform outside, under a shaded area.
Is this question not most relevant to bands, perhaps?
Is this question not most relevant to bands, perhaps?
I value the opportunity to engage with clients and guests, allowing time for feedback and networking. My priority is to understand the client's vision, mission, objectives, and expected outcomes, ensuring I effectively contribute to and communicate their message.
HM Entertainment
Vutitvi Media
South African Music Awards (RISA)
Gallo record Company
Wits University
Sowetan40xNetflix
Princes of Africa Foundation
University of Free State
Sol Plaatje University, Northern Cape
Mafikizolo
Gauteng Sport Awards (DSAC)
Mzansi Magic
DSTV
Sol Plaatjie University
Carol Bouwer Productions
Top Billing
Jo'burg Theatre, Gauteng Province, SA
University of Gdansk, Poland
Universite de Lorraine, Nancy, France
Sandton Convention Centre, Gauteng Province, SA
Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Gauteng Province, SA
FNB Stadium, Nasrec, Gauteng Province, SA
Cape Town International Conference Centre, Western Cape Province, SA
The Maslow, Sandton, Gauteng Province, SA
Mbombela Stadium, Mpumalanga Province, SA
Sun City Super Bowl, North West Province, SA
Sun Bet Arena, Pretoria, Gauteng Province
Webersburg Wine Estate (Stellenbosch), Western Cape Province
Franschhoek Cellar, Western Cape Province, SA
ICC Durban Arena, KZN Province, SA
Marriot Hotel, Melrose Arch, Gauteng Province, SA
Royal Cape Yacht Club, Western Cape Province, SA
State Library, Lesotho
Private Event
Corporate Event
Hotel / Restaurant Event
Concert
Religious Event
Recording Session
Cruise
Virtual Event
Charity Event
Theatre Show
Christmas Party
New Year's Eve
World Music
Will travel internationally
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