Simnikiwe Xanga
Project Officer- Youth Innovation
Cape Town
Summary
I'm a dedicated Project Officer adept at co-ordinating documentation with a proven track record of building strong relationships and consistently delivering projects on time, resulting in high client satisfaction. Skilled in effective communication at all levels, with a focus on collaboration and inclusive performance. Demonstrating excellent teamwork and leadership abilities, along with exceptional organisational skills, initiative, and a genuine commitment to contributing to the organisation's ongoing success. I have experience at UCT Graduate School of Business, including the Bertha Centre and the satellite hub in Philippi Village, has provided valuable expertise in stakeholder management and extensive interaction with faculty, students, research and the community. Additionally, as a registered Wellness counselor, I have established meaningful connections with youth and actively contribute to designing and implementing innovative approaches for promoting youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and psychosocial wellbeing.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Project Officer- Youth Innovation
UCT Graduate School of Business - Bertha Centre
04.2023 - Current
- Project administration - maintain database
- Liaise with events coordinator & Marketing and communications team
- Stakeholder relations-engagements & partnerships
- Project implementation- Provide insights to projects
- Support with delivering Changemakers youth programme
- Managed Pathways to information series of 80 youth applicants
- Monitoring and evaluation- Collate data from events
- Set up evaluation structures
- Manage monitoring and evaluations of the programme
- Manage financial administration records
- Facilitate youth interviews, focus groups discussions
- Conduct research on mental health policies
- Research mental health resources
- Research on entrepreneurship ecosystem
Founder
Impilo Yam Yeyethu Wellness Counselling
12.2022 - Current
- Develop and delivered a curriculum and interventions for mental health and wellbeing support
- Conducted target market research to scope out industry gaps, competition and identify advantageous trends.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations while maintaining ethical business practices at all times.
Admin and Programme Assistant- Youth & Education Innovation Portfolios
UCT Graduate School of Business - Bertha Centre
10.2019 - 03.2023
- Administrative support, maintain a filing process
- Coordinate meetings, venues and youth engagements
- Support with the design and delivery of the youth programme at Philippi Village
- Facilitate community stakeholder engagements
- Facilitate online youth and stakeholder webinars
- Engage with students and Bertha scholar alumni
- Contribute and Co-host on the Bertha Centre’s Just for a Change podcast
- Facilitate youth interviews, focus groups and programme evaluations
- Conduct research on mental health policies, and access or limitations to mental health services
- Create a resource list of mental health services
- Conduct research on entrepreneurship ecosystem
- Member of the diversity and inclusion task team
Solution Space Liaison
UCT Graduate School of Business - Solution Space
10.2015 - 10.2019
- Front of House & programme coordination
- Finance reconciliation and general administration
- Facilities administration
- Day-to-day running of co-working space
- Facilitate community engagements
- Constantly engage academics, community and organisations
- Event coordination
- Customer relationship management
- Project manager
- Gave over 200 presentations to local and international universities and student groups
- Organise youth engagements and establish strong relationships with local schools
Wellness Facilitator at Groendal High School / Dalubuhle Primary School
North-West University
04.2017 - 10.2017
- Facilitate wellness sessions to Gr 2 up till Gr 12 students
- Compile training material and prepare combined lessons in English and Isixhosa
- Observe class interactions and monitor student behaviour
- Capture and compile student feedback forms
- Translate concept note and reports from isiXhosa to English
- Debrief with lead professor on sessions and process outcomes
- Enhanced program effectiveness by collaborating with colleagues to review and revise curriculum content regularly.
- Increased participant engagement by incorporating interactive activities and group discussions into sessions.
- Delivered high-quality training sessions, ensuring participants developed a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Key Accounts Administrator
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
01.2015 - 07.2015
- Facilitate an interview preparation session
- Support manager to liaise with clients on candidate demand and interview process for job opportunities
- Preselect candidates for interviews
- Support key accounts manager and facilities team on office operations
- Facilitate sales assessments
- Ensured timely financial reporting through diligent data entry and reconciliation efforts.
Facilities Manager and Administrator
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
08.2013 - 12.2014
- Managing facilities team of 3 to 4 members, manage all aspects of the building and office management
- Marketing team representative in Harambee Cape Town
- Planning and organising events for maximum of 100 clients, stock and supply management with office supplies
Tracing Agent
MXTS- Global Tracers
07.2013 - 08.2013
- Collaborated with team members to develop new strategies for tracking accuracy, minimizing errors in data collection.
Waitress
Beluga Restaurant
08.2008 - 06.2012
Trainee Administration Clerk (internship)
Western Cape Department of Health Groote Schuur Hospital
01.2006 - 06.2006
Waitress
La Vie Café Bar
10.2003 - 01.2006
Education
Management Practice
University of Cape Town-GSB
Cape TownBachelor of Science - Applied Psychology
Association For Supportive Counsellors And Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP)
Cape Town 09.2023 - 11.2023
Bachelor of Science - Applied Psychology
South African College of Applied Psychology
Cape TownSome College (No Degree) - Health & Safety
Scott Safe Health And Safety Specialists
Cape Town 01.2025 - 11.2025
Some College (No Degree) - Office Technology & Call Centre
Cornway Training & Placement Centre
Cape Town 01.2025 - Current
BBA - Office Management And Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Cape TownHigh School Diploma -
Stutterheim High School
Stutterheim, South Africa 04.2001 -
Skills
Document management
Meeting facilitation
Project management
Data collection
Stakeholder relations
Video Portfolio
- Changemakers programme 2022 video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9fngbNxy4c&ab_channel=BerthaCentreforSocialInnovationandEntrepreneurship
- Breaking Beliefs programme-2022, https://youtu.be/qbIf0XgAbVc
Personal Information
- ID Number: 8402141049080
- Date of Birth: 02/14/84
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: South African
Additional Information
Bertha Centre Steering Committee representative- November 2023-Present
UCT Graduate School of Business Alumni PGDip representative 2024- Present
Timeline
Some College (No Degree) - Health & Safety
Scott Safe Health And Safety Specialists
01.2025 - 11.2025
Some College (No Degree) - Office Technology & Call Centre
Cornway Training & Placement Centre
01.2025 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Applied Psychology
Association For Supportive Counsellors And Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP)
09.2023 - 11.2023
Project Officer- Youth Innovation
UCT Graduate School of Business - Bertha Centre
04.2023 - Current
Founder
Impilo Yam Yeyethu Wellness Counselling
12.2022 - Current
Admin and Programme Assistant- Youth & Education Innovation Portfolios
UCT Graduate School of Business - Bertha Centre
10.2019 - 03.2023
Wellness Facilitator at Groendal High School / Dalubuhle Primary School
North-West University
04.2017 - 10.2017
Solution Space Liaison
UCT Graduate School of Business - Solution Space
10.2015 - 10.2019
Key Accounts Administrator
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
01.2015 - 07.2015
Facilities Manager and Administrator
Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
08.2013 - 12.2014
Tracing Agent
MXTS- Global Tracers
07.2013 - 08.2013
Waitress
Beluga Restaurant
08.2008 - 06.2012
Trainee Administration Clerk (internship)
Western Cape Department of Health Groote Schuur Hospital
01.2006 - 06.2006
Waitress
La Vie Café Bar
10.2003 - 01.2006
High School Diploma -
Stutterheim High School
04.2001 -
Management Practice
University of Cape Town-GSB
Bachelor of Science - Applied Psychology
South African College of Applied Psychology
BBA - Office Management And Technology
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
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