WELCOME
Welcome to the realm of creativity, research, literature, and innovation, presented by Siyamthanda 'Siya' Pongco, an academic, author, and freelance writer.
Siya Pongco - The Writer!
Siyamthanda Pongco, also known as Siya, is a multi-talented individual in the media sector. His journey began with a passion for writing as a young boy in the lush landscapes of the Eastern Cape province. He honed his writing abilities at Rhodes University, where he earned three degrees in record time before relocating to the vibrant city of Johannesburg in search of further opportunities and personal growth as a creative professional and writer.
His passion for writing spans art, culture, history, and sports, and he has built a reputation as a journalist in these domains. Nevertheless, he does not confine himself to a single niche; recently, he has been documenting individuals from diverse backgrounds - community builders, everyday citizens, and innovators.
Siya is a writer, playwright, self-taught poet, photographer, and learning creative director. In his free time, he enjoys exploring galleries, dining at various restaurants, immersing himself in literature, and savouring his favourite dish, spaghetti, while prioritising quality time with his family.
One of his recent achievements includes working for Flamenco Publishing on a book publication (Coffee Table Book) for Putco, which celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2025. In this project, he served as a writer, proofreader, and researcher.
Currently, Siya holds the position of Team Leader at SuperSport Schools News – a role he has held since August 2023 – where he occasionally contributes news articles and writes for various publications across South Africa and abroad, including SportsBoom, backed by Zealium Media in the United Kingdom.
With strong enthusiasm for research, he adeptly navigates libraries and archives in search of information, and he has a deep passion for interviewing and engaging with people. He is also pursuing his master's studies at North-West University to enhance his knowledge and further develop his skill set. Additionally, Siya operates an emerging multimedia company, Affirmations Media, which has become a favourite among young stars, offering a range of services including writing, editing, film, photography, and more. Earlier this year, he also published an ebook (Whispers of Hope from the Heart of a Village Boy: It Gets Better!) on Amazon, which is a collection of his poetry writings.
Education
2018 - 2020
Bachelor of Arts Degree
Rhodes University
At Rhodes University, Siya pursued his undergraduate studies with a major in History and Anthropology, while also engaging in further studies in Modern Fiction, English Language and Linguistics to sharpen his writing skills and Sociology.
During his undergraduate years, he quickly distinguished himself as a diligent student, receiving numerous accolades, including departmental scholarships from the Anthropology Department and the prestigious Rodney Davenport Scholarship for his outstanding performance in historical studies. At times, he had no choice but to turn down a few scholarships, as he was funded by NSFAS and was not obliged to take further private financial assistance.
In addition to his academic achievements, he served as an academic tutor, assisting first, and second-year students during his third and final undergraduate year in both the Anthropology and the History Departments.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which complicated his studies and required him to adapt to studying at home with limited resources, he successfully graduated on time, demonstrating his resilience and determination, as he is not one to give up.
2021 - 2021
Bachelor of Arts in Honours (History)
Rhodes University
In 2021, Siya remained in Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, to pursue his postgraduate studies in historical studies. He undertook research examining the role, impact, and influence of hip hop, arts, and creativity on the youth of Grahamstown, focusing on how they utilised Hip-Hop as a means to shape their own living conditions. Under the supervision of Dr Helena Pohlandt-McCormick, Siya completed his studies in nine months, earning his Honours degree from the prestigious Rhodes University.
2022 - 2022
Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism
Rhodes University
In 2022, as a first-generation graduate, succeeding to Siya is paramount, and the thought of returning or giving up never crosses his mind. In search of something that genuinely resonates with him and aligns with his passion for writing, Siya decided to pursue a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism. With a scholarship from the South African Reserve Bank, he was able to enrol and study Journalism.
He studied media, communications, and how to perfect his writing skills and further learnt research skills. During this time, Siya worked as a professional journalist for Grocott's Mail. He was part of a group of eight that revitalised South Africa's oldest independent newspaper, which is rooted in community journalism.
Siya excelled in this role as a journalist, crafting stories that reached beyond the restrictive boundaries of Grahamstown. He notably reported on Arthur Vamva and his controversial remarks regarding the LGBTQIA+ community at Rhodes University. This story brought Grocott's Mail back into the national spotlight, and the piece initially published by Siya Pongco was later republished by major outlets such as Mail & Guardian, Daily Dispatch, Cape Times, and others.
In the same year, Siya rediscovered his passion for photography, a passion he had nurtured during his high school years, which continues to thrive within him today, despite his current full-time commitment to writing, leaving him with little time for photography.
Sitampu Mthunzi
I have worked with Siya during the initial phase of establishing his media company, Affirmations Media. At that time, the company was known as Ink Globe Press, and there was no definitive direction. He exhibited a degree of stubbornness back then; however, he has since evolved both as a professional and as an individual. From his early days at Rhodes University, one could observe his vision, passion, and love for writing. It is not surprising to witness his success in this role over the years. This reflects his tenacity. I have engaged his services as a writer and sub-editor and have never encountered any issues with him, owing to his diligence.
