GN NDONGO

Dear sir/madam

My name is Gaby Nkolo Ndongo and I am an honours journalism graduate with more than four years’ experience in writing and sub-editing journalistic content. These activities began in my first year of study at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), when I became a student journalist and then the founding editor of an online student publication, The Open Journal. Since then, I have found solace, learnt about myself and others in the process of doing the work. It has broadened my understanding of cultural, business, economic and financial matters, as well as human rights issues.

As a recent graduate, I have been able to freelance for GroundUp and Unmask Africa, an English-language news website that focuses on business, economic and financial matters on the African continent. Working as a freelance journalist taught me how to work independently from home. I had to keep up to date with local and continental trends in business, economics and finance, research and pitch relevant story ideas, find reliable, knowledgeable sources of information, conduct interviews, write them up and submit the final copies on time. I read constantly and widely: newsletters, news articles, feature articles and opinion articles from international and national media outlets, as well as books on topics such as investment banking and the macro-economy.

As the editor of the online student publication, The Open Journal, I publish content and manage its CMS platform (WordPress), as well as the social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn). The post demands that I multitask, conducting administrative activities alongside editorial duties. I perform the same platform management activities for tutoring firm JoziTutors, which uses Wix as its CMS. These roles have given me insight on SEO guidelines, branding and multimedia content production. Overall, I possess the necessary skills set and experience to occupy journalist and content writer roles.

Thank you for taking the time to read through the letter and please see below for three work samples as well as references.

Kind regards,
Gaby Nkolo Ndongo
c: 27 76 464 0569
e: gabyndongo@outlook.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gnn

Work samples
• ‘A young refugee’s COVID-19 experience in South Africa’ (https://rb.gy/rui6ay)
• ‘Why young people are vulnerable to unemployment during COVID-19’ (https://rb.gy/eifb6t)
• ‘Settling with a brain disorder at varsity’ (https://rb.gy/llnytk)

References
• Chipego Himonga (editor-in-chief at Unmask Africa): 27 72 392 0138
• Gertruida Mathilda (Ruda) Landman (senior media practitioner): 27 82 452 7774
• Magnificent Linda Mndebele (journalist at New Frame): 27 64 785 9746