Lesley Mofokeng
Associate Lecturer
As associate lecturer, Mofokeng teaches Practice of Journalism, History of Journalism and Feature Writing. He also supervises research projects of Honours and Masters students.
He was part of the Protea history project between Wits University and Universite de Lorraine, France, studying Literary Journalism during the Boer War (1899 to 1902). He also taught at the summer school of Universite de Lorraine in June 2023. His research interests include the history of journalism of Sol T. Plaatje, Afrocentricity, early Black Press in South Africa, literary journalism, Boer War and early Christian missionary work in African societies.
A former journalist, Mofokeng worked for national newspapers, The Sunday Times, City Press and The Sowetan in different capacities in over two decades. He also contributed to magazine titles Top Billing, Bona and Rootz. He presented a weekly entertainment news segment on several local and international radio stations and is a sought after social and pop culture commentator who has featured on a few TV documentaries and variety shows.
He is an accomplished scriptwriter, producer, Public Relations and communications consultant. He served as a researcher/historian for the Sowetan40xNetflix project and is a communications manager at the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA).
Mofokeng is the author of biographies of celebrities Khanyi Mbau and Somizi Mhlongo and wrote the cookbook of Chef Nti. He edited the children’s biography of singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka, was a project manager for a tribute book to singer/composer Robbie Malinga, and produced a coffee table book for a corporate client.
His latest book, The Man Who Shook Mountains, is an adaptation of his Masters dissertation telling the story of his grandfather, Mongangane Wilfred Mofokeng, who was an evangelist of the Dutch Reformed Church and a community builder in a North West town. It was released in March 2023 by Jonathan Ball Publishers.
Education
Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies, Wits University, 2021
Media Management Programme Certificate, Stellenbosch University, 2010
Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies, Wits University, 2009
Bachelor of Arts Honours in Communication, North West University, 1998
Bachelor of Arts in Communication, North West University, 1997
Conferences
Panellist and presenter: International Association of Literary Journalism Studies (IALJS) – Chile (2022) and Poland (2023)
Presenter: International Communications Association – Cape Town (2023)
Presenter: International Association of History and Media – Ireland (2024)
Producer: 20th African Investigative Journalists Conference (AIJC) and Journalist of the Year awards show – Wits University, Johannesburg (2024)
Publications
Book Chapter: The Mafeking Diary of Sol Plaatje and the History of Literary Journalism in South Africa in Revisiting Sol Plaatje’s Mafeking Diary – Reconsideration and Restoration. Sabata-mpho Mokae and Brian Willan (eds) (2023)
Contact
Email: lesley.mofokeng@wits.ac.za
Instagram: @lesleymofokeng
Twitter: @lesleymofokeng
Facebook: Lesley Lehlohonolo Mofokeng
LinkedIn: Lesley Mofokeng