Richard Gibbs

• Enhanced publication quality by meticulously editing articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation and style consistency.
• Maintained strong editorial standards for accuracy, clarity, and relevance.
• Ensured timely publication by managing strict deadlines.
• Strengthened stories through clear communication and prompt feedback with writers.
• Crafted engaging headlines that accurately reflected article content and captured audience interest.
• My contract ended on the 31 October 2024.

• Edited copy for the quarterly publication Inside Education.
• Edited a report on South Africa's State Security Agency for Intel Watch.
• Edited Nedbank's Green Economy end-of-year report and their Staff Volunteerism publication.
• Wrote press releases for Gravitas Communications clients, including Old Mutual, Property Point, and three facilities management companies.
• Conducted an online workshop on editing for Fray College students.

As the Mail & Guardian's Comment & Analysis (Thought Leader) editor, I reported to the editor-in-chief.

• I commissioned articles from the publication's regular and freelance contributors and procured others from a variety of sources, both locally and internationally, for the online and print editions of the newspaper.
• Worked with a wide range of respected contributors to the publication, including former Constitutional Court judge Johann van der Westhuizen, University of Cape Town professor Richard Calland, Dr Ross Harvey at Good Governance Africa, the late Eusebius McKaiser, Professor William Gumede of the School of Governance at Wits University, Professor Philip Machanik of Rhodes University, acting judge Tembeka Ngukaitobi and a wide variety of other contributors from universities, NGOs and bodies such as the Legal Resources Centre, Amnesty International, and the South African Human Rights Commission.
• Presented a daily diary of comment and analysis pieces for online publication and consulted with the editor-in-chief and section heads on the best ones for the print edition.
• Enhanced publication quality by proofreading and editing articles for accuracy, legal compliance, grammar, spelling, and stylistic consistency.
• Managed content calendar to ensure timely publication of articles and features.
• Enforced adherence to publication deadlines, ensuring consistent content output.
• Coordinated with writers to refine article ideas.

• As the chief subeditor I reported to the editor-in-chief and was the "final eye" on all copy sent for publication in print and online.
• Managed a team of copy and layout subeditors, providing guidance and constructive feedback to improve overall performance.
• Facilitated a smooth and structured flow of daily and print edition copy.
• Ensured the work produced was of the highest editorial standard.
• Ensured pages were seen and signed off by writers and section editors and executed any changes needed.
• Established and implemented workflows to streamline editing processes.
• Provided writers with concise and constructive editorial feedback to improve article and story writing.
• Attended editorial diary meetings with section editors.
• Developed, maintained and updated the in-house style guide.
• Liaised with the advertising department regarding pagination of the print product.
• Liaised with the photographic and production departments.
• Liaised with contributing writers (columnists) and section editors.
• Dealt with the administrative duties of the subs' desk.
• Conducted periodic performance assessments with copy and layout subeditors.

• As the Deputy Chief Subeditor I assisted the Chief Subeditor with duties identical to those I later carried out as the Chief Subeditor and deputised in her absence.

• As Production Editor/Chief Subeditor of this Sunday newspaper, I reported to the Editor-in-Chief, and my duties were similar to those I performed as Chief Subeditor and Deputy Chief Subeditor at subsequent publications I worked for.

• As Chief Subeditor, I reported to the editor and performed duties similar to those in my subsequent jobs.

• As Chief Subeditor, I reported to the editor and performed similar duties to those in my subsequent jobs.

• ThisDay, a Johannesburg-based daily newspaper and sister publication to its Nigerian counterpart, attracted some of South Africa's best journalists when it started operating in 2003. But its success was short-lived, and it ceased operating in November 2004.
• As the chief subeditor, I reported to the editor, Justice Malala, and my duties and responsibilities were identical to those I performed in a similar capacity at other publications.

• As deputy chief subeditor, I was among the team that started Sunday World together with editors Mondli Makhanya, Fred Khumalo and Heather Robertson. The paper started life as a broadsheet but later became a tabloid under a new editor. The chief sub resigned, and I assumed his position.
• My duties as deputy and chief sub were identical to those I performed at subsequent publications I worked for.

• As a senior subeditor I reported to the chief subeditor and was responsible for editing copy for the newspaper's news, features and opinion sections. I also proofread early pages on Saturday mornings.

• As senior sub-editor, I reported to the editor, Zwelakhe Sisulu, and his deputy, Gabu Tukwana. This was my first position as a subeditor. New Nation was a leading anti-apartheid newspaper, published in South Africa from 1986 until it ceased publication in 1997. It had a very small staff complement – I did layout and copy editing with three others.

• As the editor of this monthly printing industry publication, I reported to the publisher/owner. It was my first job in South Africa after 12 years of exile in England. I did not enjoy the work, but the job came via a recommendation from a family friend, and it helped me re-establish myself in the country.

• I left South Africa in June 1977 and successfully applied for political asylum to avoid having to serve in the apartheid military. I did a variety of jobs while I lived in the UK, including writing copy for two small PR companies and authoring three schoolbooks for children. I also worked as a gardener, window cleaner, milk delivery man and musician.

• As the Johannesburg correspondent for the Durban-based publication, I reported to the Joburg news editor.

• After an initial six-month in-house training course, I was sent to the Eastern Province Herald for six months and subsequently worked as a reporter for the Rand Daily Mail and later the Sunday Times.