Wandile Makaula
Freelancer
Highly motivated freelance professional with 7 years of experience, including a successful tenure at Appen CrowdGen. Proficient in data annotation, customer service, and audio transcription, with strong analytical skills and digital literacy. Holds a National Senior Certificate (2020), a Microsoft Digital Literacy Productivity Programmes: Consolidated Certificate (2022), as well as a Business Analysis & Process Management project certificate (2026). Eager to bring my expertise and enthusiam 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 & certificates
National Senior Certificate, General Education
Riverdene Secondary School
- *Subjects: English Home Language, isiZulu Home Language, Mathematical Literacy, Geography, Tourism, History, Life Orientation.
- *Excelled in English & isiZulu Home Language, building persuasive fluency
- *Applied Maths Lit, Geography & History to real-world problem solving
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.
- *Demonstrated strong proficiency in Microsoft Office and related productivity software.
- *Developed core productivity and employability skills with a focus on advanced digital skills.
Business Analysis & Process Management, Business Analysis
Coursera
- *Learned to evaluate a business from a process view, break down the problems, and find an applicable business solution.
- *Defined business processes, their objectives and how they flow within the organizational context.
Supply Chain Management, Supply Chain Management
IIENSTITU
- Succesfully completed and achieved a certificate for Supply Chain Management. Averaging a pass rate of more than 85%
- Completed online under IIENSTITU online platform at www.iienstitu.com.
- certificate serial number:#222721035414
- Learned the full supply chain framework — sourcing, inventory, logistics, transportation, planning, risk management, and sustainability through recorded lessons, readings, and practical resources.
- Gained the ability to evaluate inventory decisions, compare transportation/distribution choices, design lean and agile strategies, and measure performance using SCOR metrics and resilience tools.
Introduction to Project Management
Upskillist.com
- Foundational Knowledge: Provides a clear introduction to project management principles, covering essential concepts like planning, execution, and monitoring to help learners understand the basics of managing projects effectively.
Languages
English
Fluent
IsiZulu
Fluent
IsiXhosa
Fluent
Sotho
Fluent
isiSwati
Fluent
References available upon request.