Mongezi Sikhakhane

Mongezi Sikhakhane has a PhD in Communication Studies from the University of Johannesburg. He is a trained writer having obtained a Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand. Mongezi also has a Bachelor of Arts (History) and an Honours degree in African Literature which equipped him with critical thinking, analytic, research, theoretic, communication, presentation, writing and teaching skills. Mongezi also holds a copywriting certificate from the AAA School of Advertising, which equipped him with skills to convert ideas and concepts into readable communications material in different formats. Mongezi is passion about the language as a communication tool and observance of language conventions in the creation of effective communication. Dr Sikhakhane has worked as a language practitioner, copy editor, proof-reader and quality controller in the financial reporting, investor relations and communications industry for more than 20 years. In the abovementioned positions, he has worked on financial communications documents/content which include annual reports, annual financial statements, preliminary and interim results, press advertisements, books, brochures, circulars, website content, emailers, SENS documents, Edgars, newsletters, magazines, and digital and online reports, etc. He is able to turn any written communication material into impeccable communication material. Mongezi was also a member of the editorial committee at Rural Brands, a company that was producing DBSA's stakeholder quarterly magazine, titled Partners in Development. He was part of the committee that worked on the magazine from when it was still a concept to the first publication and subsequent issues. He was also instrumental in content creation, writing, proofreading and quality control of the magazine. As a writer, Mongezi ghostwrote countless articles on behalf of Moneybiz. Moneybiz was producing a four-page weekly newspaper insert titled Into Business, which was printed by the Sowetan, for insertion into the newspaper every Thursday. Mongezi was writing a minimum of four articles every week for a 12-month period. Into Business was joint initiative between Sowetan and Telkom Business to encourage young people to start their own businesses, rather than wait for employment opportunities given the nature and state of the South African economy. Articles in the insert were aimed at informing the young people and budding entrepreneurs who wanted to start their own businesses. As a head writer, together with team Mongezi researched and wrote most articles. Outside the writing domain, Dr Sikhakhane was also a project manager and a translator in the translation of school-book manuscripts from English to isiZulu, from 2007 to 2008; for MacMillan Publishers' (South Africa) subsidiary, Clever Books. The project entailed the translation of grades 1 to 12 language and literature books. Mongezi also commissioned and published an anthology of isiZulu poems, titled Ameva Omnduze. He also writes book reviews. Mongezi has also ghostwritten opinion articles, marketing collateral, press releases, book reviews, etc. Mongezi currently works as a financial reporting proofreader. He also performs other language related tasks in the company's languages services department. Detail-oriented Proofreader adept at document management, data entry and administrative support. Applies different style and content guidelines based on individual document uses and requirements. High level of vocabulary understanding, grammar and writing techniques. Experienced in checking financial reporting documents for grammatical, spelling and content issues. Well-organized and disciplined with a systematic approach and in-depth understanding of ideal structure, format, and style. Good communication and multitasking abilities. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.