Bonginkosi Tiwane
Editor/ Senior Writer/Journalist
Tembisa
Summary
I am a seasoned Arts and Entertainment Editor and Journalist with over nine years of dynamic industry experience. I hold a Certificate in Journalism: Print and Digital Media, and at 33 years old, I have honed my skills in fast-paced newsroom environments, where meeting tight deadlines is part of my daily routine. Currently, I am a Senior Journalist at The Citizen, covering arts and entertainment, and occasionally contributing to the news desk. My current and previous roles speak to my dedication and expertise in delivering high-quality journalism. I have a keen eye for detail and a strong command of the English language. I am a music lover with a diverse ear that can be merged with my passion for telling stories of artists and the arts, which compliments my writing and editing skills, as well as my leadership and interpersonal abilities.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
3
3
Languages
Work History
Senior Journalist
The Citizen
5 2023 - Current
- Reporting for website and print newspaper
- Feature writing
- Advertorial writing
- Social Media management
- Newsletter development and management
- Sub-editing
- Contributing to the news desk
- Interviewing people in the entertainment industry
- Conducted interviews with key figures in various industries, obtaining exclusive insights into important topics and events
- Developed multimedia content for articles, increasing reader engagement and sharing on social media platforms
- Mentored junior journalists for improved reporting skills and adherence to ethical standards
- Created engaging long-form feature articles, highlighting human interest stories that resonated with readership demographics
- Established a reputation for excellence in journalism by consistently meeting or surpassing performance metrics set by management
Managing Editor
Spot-On Magazine
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Editing and writing for website and print magazine
- Social Media management
- Newsletter management
- Managing freelance budget
- Managing the website
- Proofread, edited and evaluated final copy to verify content aligned with established guidelines
- Developed strong relationships with freelance contributors, ensuring a steady flow of fresh perspectives and ideas
- Inspected physical production and manuscript design, maintaining continuity across print and digital products
- Prepared, rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact
- Supported publication by helping develop layouts and collaborating with production teams
- Led and managed multiple projects from conceptual stage through to launch
- Edited and reviewed content for grammar, spelling and punctuation
Freelance Writer
The Afropolitan Magazine
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Commissioned as a lifestyle writer for The Afropolitan Magazine (print)
- Conducted thorough research on diverse topics, producing well-informed pieces that resonated with readers
- Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to generate topics
Freelance Writer
The Sunday Times Lifestyle Section
01.2016 - 12.2022
- I freelanced for The Sunday Times Lifestyle section, I pitched story ideas and then get published.
- Conducted thorough research on diverse topics, producing well-informed pieces that resonated with readers
- Completed thorough research into assigned topics
- Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to generate topics
Freelance Transcriber
Human Sciences Research Council
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Transcribe audio from research material
- Write and translate when necessary
Journalism Internship
Times Media/Arena Holdings
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Selected as one of 14 young promising journalists in South Africa to be part of internship programme
- Worked in various publications within company, including The Times, TimesLive, Sunday World
- Part of Sowetan's team of entertainment team as a lifestyle journalist
- Provided audio for Vuma FM and Rise FM.
- Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments
- Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations
Education
CERTIFICATE IN JOURNALISM PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA - Journalism
City Varsity
JohannesburgSECONDARY SCHOOL -
Tersia King Learning Academy
TembisaSkills
Writing
Editing
Content Creator
Social media management
Newsletter compilation
Interviewing
Freelance management
WordPress
Computer literacy
Strong verbal communication
Everlytic
HootSuite
Google Analytics
Content management system
Interpersonal Communication
Team Collaboration
Problem-Solving
Effective Communication
Research
Feature Writing
Breaking News Coverage
Content Strategy
Opinion writing
Audience Engagement
Deadline Management
Event coverage
Team Mentoring
Interview techniques
Copy editing proficiency
Story pitching
Digital analytics
Long-form writing
Newsroom collaboration
Content Creation
Social Media Engagement
Story Development
Writing and editing
Content Management Systems
Creative Writing
News Reporting
Adaptability and Flexibility
Social media proficiency
Online News Content
Public Speaking
Copy Editing
Certification
Driver's License
References
- Lesley Mofokeng, Journalist, Author, Lecturer and South African Music Awards Spokesperson, lesley.mofokeng@wits.ac.za, 083 640 4343
- Andrea Nagel, NagelA@sundaytimes.co.za, 083 458 8199
- Bridget van Oerle, The BUZ Hive Owner, Bridget@thebuzhive.co.za, 0832636991
- Jacques Breytenbach, jacques.breytenbach@mml.co.za, 083 381 2962
Timeline
Managing Editor
Spot-On Magazine
01.2022 - 01.2023
Freelance Writer
The Afropolitan Magazine
01.2021 - 01.2023
Freelance Transcriber
Human Sciences Research Council
01.2021 - 01.2022
Freelance Writer
The Sunday Times Lifestyle Section
01.2016 - 12.2022
Journalism Internship
Times Media/Arena Holdings
01.2014 - 01.2015
Senior Journalist
The Citizen
5 2023 - Current
CERTIFICATE IN JOURNALISM PRINT AND DIGITAL MEDIA - Journalism
City Varsity
SECONDARY SCHOOL -
Tersia King Learning Academy
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