Simiso Sokhela
Website Designer | SEO Consultant | Creative & Public Speaker
With over a decade of experience in digital skills development, public speaking, and entrepreneurship, Simiso is a respected leader in township and rural digital transformation.
Who is Simiso Sokhela?
I am Simiso Sabelo Sokhela, a multifaceted professional with extensive experience in web design, SEO consultancy, creativity, and public speaking. Over the past decade, I have immersed myself in the IT and digital marketing sector, continuously honing my skills through hands-on experience and ongoing learning.
Beyond my technical skills, I am also a published author, captivating public speaker, skilled facilitator, and talented poet. I take pride in achieving international reach with the publication of three books, including two books of poetry and short stories, and my latest work "The Future of Jobs and AI in Africa"— a groundbreaking exploration of how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the African job market and creating new opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs.
Driven by my passion for empowering others, I founded Awali Academy, a pioneering learning institution dedicated to equipping individuals with essential digital skills. Through my role as a trainer for the Google Digital Skills for Africa initiative, I have played a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide and empowering communities with valuable knowledge.
"My journey is characterized by a relentless pursuit of excellence, fueled by my dedication to innovation, creativity, and community upliftment."
Professional Experience
Founder & Creative Director
Awali Academy NPC & Awali Business Solutions
Leading digital skills development and community empowerment initiatives across KZN
SEO Manager
No Joke Marketing (USA)
Led advanced technical SEO strategies for international clients across North America
Google Digital Skills Trainer
Digital Skills for Africa Initiative
Training township youth and unemployed adults in foundational digital skills
Co-Founder & Programme Manager
Pneumarella Society of Arts and Development
Youth empowerment through music, drama, civic education (2011-2015)
Qualifications & Achievements
Public Speaking
Simiso has extensive experience as a public speaker, delivering keynote presentations, training sessions, and motivational talks at education expos, community development forums, and major events. His sessions on the future of work, AI, and township digital innovation have been well-received by educators, students, government leaders, and the private sector.
50+
Speaking Events
Background & Community Work
Before founding Awali Academy, Simiso was deeply involved in the creative and civil society sectors. He served as Co-Founder and Programme Manager at the Pneumarella Society of Arts and Development, a youth-led arts organisation focused on social development through music, drama, and civic education.
From 2011 to 2015, Pneumarella operated with strategic support from the Democracy Development Programme (DDP), delivering youth empowerment, civic literacy, and democracy awareness programmes in communities across KwaZulu-Natal. During this period, Simiso played a pivotal role in developing content, mentoring youth artists, and coordinating forums on participatory democracy and constitutional rights.
This background in arts-based youth development, civic education, and public engagement laid a strong foundation for Simiso's later transition into digital empowerment and community-based technology training.
International Digital Marketing Experience
As SEO Manager at No Joke Marketing (USA-based digital agency), Simiso led advanced technical SEO strategies, keyword architecture, performance audits, and content optimization for international clients across North America. Working remotely from South Africa in alignment with New York business hours, he ensured seamless cross-border collaboration and execution, gaining valuable exposure to global marketing standards and digital performance metrics.
Current Work
In addition to his international work, Simiso continues to serve as a Digital Strategy Consultant for SMEs in South Africa, offering services in local SEO, WordPress development, UX planning, and e-commerce optimization. He is a certified SEO expert and digital marketing specialist, holding over 50 LinkedIn Learning certifications spanning content marketing, e-commerce, Google Analytics, social media strategy, AI for marketing, and more.
Simiso is currently pursuing a Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) through a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)-accredited training institution, aligning with his passion for drone education and his goal of expanding youth training in aviation technologies across townships and rural communities.