Wandile Makaula
Freelancer
Highly motivated and dedicated freelance professional with 7 years of experience, including a successful tenure at Appen CrowdGen. Proficient in data annotation, audio transcription, and customer service, with strong analytical skills and digital literacy. Eager to bring my expertise and enthusiasm to your team to contribute to innovative projects and mutual growth.
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Languages
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Skills
Work Experience
Workshop Participant
Garden Route Innovation & Technology Hub, NPC
May 2026 — May 2026
- Selected to participate in a free, competitive workshop focusing on monetizing technical skills
- Learned practical strategies to identify income opportunities using existing technical abilities and tech projects
- Gained exposure to real-world approaches for turning tech services and solutions into paid offerings
- Developed a clearer understanding of how to position personal tech skills for the job market, freelance work and self-employment
- Built knowledge of how to open and register a business, including basic company setup requirements
- Learned how to create company websites and apply fundamental marketing principles to promote businesses and products
- Acquired practical skills in creating invoices for companies and individuals
- Gained insight into preparing applications for funding at organizations such as NYDA, SEDA, NEF and SEDFA
- Assessed participant needs and tailored workshop content to different skill levels and backgrounds
- Provided post-workshop follow-up, sharing resources and nurturing participants toward next program offerings
Trainee Sales Agent
Global Direct
Feb 2021 — Feb 2021
- Learned and applied effective product pitching techniques to clearly present features and benefits to potential clients
- Handled client objections professionally, addressing concerns to move conversations toward a positive outcome
- Practiced and refined closing techniques to successfully finalize sales opportunities
- Engaged directly with clients face-to-face and via calls to build rapport and maintain ongoing relationships
- Contributed to driving sales through proactive client interactions and follow-ups
- Developed strong communication skills by adapting messages to different client needs and profiles
- Strengthened negotiation skills by balancing client expectations with business objectives
- Built resilience by managing rejection, maintaining motivation, and persisting in challenging sales situations
Freelance/Independent Contractor
Appen CrowdGen
Jun 2019 — Nov 2025
- Completed project-based assignments as an independent contractor, including data collection, sales, marketing, data annotation, data evaluation and AI training
- Contributed to multiple remote projects as a task-based contributor, adapting quickly to varying workflows, tools and client requirements
- Performed data-focused tasks such as annotation and evaluation to support AI training projects with accuracy and attention to detail
- Supported sales and marketing initiatives by executing assigned activities in line with project goals and guidelines
- Utilized personal computers, laptops and mobile devices to perform remote work, demonstrating strong technical proficiency and troubleshooting skills
- Managed individual tasks and project deadlines independently, ensuring timely delivery of assigned work in remote settings
Skills
Analytical skillsdata annotationMicrosoft Office Suiteaudio transcriptioncustomer servicedigital literacycommunicationadaptability
Education
National Senior Certificate, General Education
Riverdene Secondary School
- Subjects: English Home Language, isiZulu Home Language, Mathematical Literacy, Geography, Tourism, History, Life Orientation. Applied Maths Lit, Geography & History to real-world problem solving Excelled in English & isiZulu Home Language, building persuasive fluency
Microsoft Digital Literacy Productivity Programmes: Consolidated Certificate, Digital Skills
Thint'iMillion
- Completed the Microsoft Digital Literacy Productivity Programme offered by Thint’iMillion Gained advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, and Outlook Trained through the IT AI Skills Initiative, integrating AI fluency with digital productivity tools Developed core productivity and employability skills with a focus on advanced digital skills Demonstrated strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and related productivity software Demonstrated mastery of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access & Outlook
Languages
English
Fluent
IsiZulu
Fluent
IsiXhosa
Fluent
Sotho
Fluent
isiSwati
Fluent
References available upon request.