Now based in Gaborone, Botswana, Gwen provides freelance writing services for Southern African clients through her company Entrepreneurs for Africa (E4A) and conference, events and exhibition services for companies wishing to explore the fastest growing economy in Africa - Botswana. E4A also assists women-based businesses in expanding their marketing and business strategy.
Freelancers Writing Services is a communications consultancy, committed to providing a professional, competent and measurable communications service to its clients.
Started by Gwen Watkins in Johannesburg as a PR partnership in 1988, Freelancers became a South African CC in 1997. Freelancers now operates as a division of Entrepreneurs for Africa (Pty) Ltd, a company formed in Botswana in 2009 and purchased by Gwen Watkins in June 2011.
Though based in Gaborone, the consultancy offers Public Relations; Clear English re-writing; Reporting and Editing services for conferences and full MICE services for Southern Africa.
Gwen passed the international Convention Industry Council's exam in July 2009 to become Certified Meeting Professional® (CMP), joining 23 other qualified professionals in South Africa. This is the foremost international certification of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry and recognises individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism.
She is currently the senior freelance features writer for Business Report & Independent Newspapers and freelance sub-editor for BizCommunity's newsletters on Media & Marketing and Retail www.bizcommunity.com. Gwen was editor of Plastics & Rubber News and SubContractor and assistant editor of SA Builder, African Building Contractor and Retailing Africa. Gwen Watkins has been writing for both clients and the media since 1981 and a freelance features writer for both trade, technical and consumer publications since 1993.
Websites www.freelancers.co.za and www.entrepreneurs4africa.com
[Gwen Watkins] Last week’s media preview of District 9, the new South African sci-fi film, left most of us quite shattered. Not expecting such a performance or to be so engrossed, the film may draw on recognised genres but it delivers the shock and uncomfortable recognition that Paul Verhoeven used to deliver. [video]