Hire the Best Journalists
in South Africa

I'm an experienced Journalist/Media professional who has experience contributing to national and international media. I have previously contributed to media including Al Jazeera, the BBC and national English language newspapers in South Africa. I have crafted extensive content on sport and also have a deep interest in politics, culture, technology and lifestyle.

I’m a writer who cares about more than just getting words on a page ... I care about what those words do for people. I’ve worked across SEO articles, lifestyle writing, news content, and sports, and what I’ve learned through it all is simple: good writing isn’t just clear; it’s felt. It lands. It connects. Sometimes it stays with someone longer than they expect it to. I’m especially drawn to taking messy or overwhelming ideas and shaping them into something calm, readable, and human. Writing that feels easy to understand, easy to trust, and easy to connect with, never stiff, never overly polished, just real. At the heart of it, I always write with people in mind. The reader on the other side of the screen who might need clarity, reassurance, direction, or just a moment of “I get that.” That’s who I’m writing for every time. If you’re looking for a writer who brings warmth, clarity, and a grounded, human approach to storytelling—with coffee close by and a real love for turning ideas into writing that feels alive—I’d love to work with you.

Journalism, content, and copywriting; I am a versatile individual, not just across, but within, these fields, with several years of experience in all three. I possess strong editorial expertise in thought leadership and content creation, and I demonstrate solid communication and research skills. My detail-oriented approach complements this perfectly. I have written and edited a wide variety of published pieces, as well as managed the entire content creation process, from sourcing writers and ideation to hitting that publish button. This content spans a range of formats, including editorial pieces, interviews, reports, advertisements, and social media posts, among others. Moreover, they cover a range of topics, tailored for various high-traffic publications. I can embody a brand’s voice with ingenuity as my distinguishing factor, as I am always invested in the lateral take.

With a degree in journalism and over two decades of experience working in the branding and media industry, I know what it takes to listen - and then convey that message appropriately. I am pragmatic, efficient, work well on deadlines, and am readily available for work. I would be a rich man if I'd earned a penny for every time someone has told me "that's a good idea". I have spent the last 18 months working as a bid writer for UK-based management consultancy whose clients include global lottery, charity and railroad companies. As such I have recent experience in preparing RFP submissions. I am not shy of any writing or editing work, and additionally have experience in the medical field as an addiction counsellor. I have worked as journalist and columnist for years for SA newspapers and magazines, specializing in leadership, arts and entertainment, and the green sector. I'm curious about the world and always eager to learn new things. I have published over ten books in South Africa and am highly proficient in copy writing, research, editing, and project conceptualization. I'm passionate about sport and music, and I read a lot. There was a time in my life when I was a famous satirist, or iconoclast. I made a T shirt at university that satirized the Carling Beer Black Label logo (it read "Black Labour, White Guilt") and I got sued by them (SABMiller) and it went on to set international legal precedent in the Constitutional Court with freedom of expression trumping trademark protection. As such I am well versed in branding and marketing nuance, and am au fait with legalese and can process high volumes of complex legal documents, distilling them into simple, digestible opinions. Recent proof of this (for me at least) was when I graduated cum laude from UCT's Psychiatry Department with a counseling degree in 2018. I was able to study full-time for two years, while still being a full-time parent who is trying to make financial ends meet. I have a wicked sense of humour and still make funny T shirts (www dot laughitoff dot co dot za). I know my em-dashes from my en-dashes. I enjoy long, romantic walks on the beach.. oh wait, wrong profile! I live a life of hedonistic delight in the mountains of Bainskloof (www dot mcbains dot co dot za) where I balance online writing challenges with cold water plunges in the Witte River. I would say that I'm a people's person. But that I also love reading in bed on my own. I would ask that you give me a chance with your job as I promise that I will not let you down, should we agree on the terms and conditions. Thank you for your consideration, Justin.

I am an accomplished wordsmith with three decades of freelance experience and proven competence in creative, technical, academic and professional writing. My clients appreciate my dedication, flexibility and responsive communication. My portfolio spans a wide range of traditional and new media formats, with a background in journalism and a solid track record as an editor and proofreader of texts from academic papers to AI-generated work. Recent Upwork projects include AI training through humanisation of text, multiple choice question formulation, script writing and university eLearning content production on topics related to business strategy and HR management. I take great pride in my work and strive to deliver content that is meets the brief and always produce accurate, original with focussed attention paid to the smallest of details. I am always happy to take a test for prospective clients to prove my ability to work to spec and grasp complex requirements.

Journalist; Transcriber, Subtitles and Travel Planning. US ENGLISH SPELLING: 1st place out of over a million test takers! 85 Words Per Minute, 100% Accuracy. The rate I charge is per AUDIO/VIDEO hour, not actual hours taken. My Travel Addiction: I have travelled overland by: Public Transport Motorcycle 4x4 Vehicle Through 101 Countries over the last 20 years of my travelling adult life. I have met many interesting people during these adventures and have acquired insight into how the world works. For over 8 years I have specialized in transcribing, which I do while travelling, and have acquired knowledge in many different areas, as I prefer to do academic research interviews. All of my clients are extremely satisfied with the quality of my work. I'm currently back in South Africa and giving my travel addiction a break.