Professional Experience

A journey of growth, innovation, and impactful contributions

Thembekani began his IT career in 2021 as a Desktop Engineer at First Technologies, quickly progressing through Customer Engineer (African Areté/BCX/Distell), Desktop Engineer L2 (BCX/Distell), Project Team Lead (RRIPL device refresh project), and ultimately reaching an L3 Systems Engineer | UEM role at Heineken Beverages in March 2024 — managing device compliance across 67+ sites within South Africa OpCo and across Africa market.

How has Thembekani Khumalo's career progressed in IT?

Thembekani began his IT career in 2021 as a Desktop Engineer at First Technologies, quickly progressing through Customer Engineer (African Areté/BCX/Distell), Desktop Engineer L2 (BCX/Distell), Project Team Lead (RRIPL device refresh project), and ultimately reaching an L3 Systems Engineer | UEM role at Heineken Beverages in March 2024 "” managing device compliance across 67+ sites within South Africa OpCo and across Africa marker.

When did Thembekani Khumalo begin his IT career?

He began his formal IT career in April 2021 and progressed rapidly through support engineering, customer engineering, project leadership, and enterprise systems engineering roles within a short period.

Heineken Beverages, Stellenbosch | March 2024 "“ Present

Key Responsibilities
Compliance Operations
  • Manage and maintain device compliance in Azure to ensure all devices adhere to company and global standards.
  • Perform daily reviews of the Power BI EUD Compliance Dashboard and resolve compliance issues.
  • Generate and review Azure reports to ensure the Operating Company (OpCo) meets compliance requirements.
  • Ensure the OpCo maintains a minimum global compliance standard (Tanda) of 95%.
  • Assign devices to primary users in Azure for proper tracking and ownership.
  • Delete or remove devices in Azure when they are no longer needed or compliant.
Security, Risk, and Asset Governance
  • Monitor, maintain, and investigate issues related to patch compliance across devices.
  • Lead monthly Log4j vulnerability remediation tracking and closure across impacted endpoints.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot antivirus compliance to ensure all devices have up-to-date protection.
  • Drive Software Asset Management (SAM) remediation activities, including Microsoft 365 license optimisation and entitlement alignment.
  • Manage assets and maintain them for all HBI users.
Support, Escalations, and Global Delivery
  • Investigate and resolve compliance issues flagged by the technical team.
  • Proactively investigate and provide solutions for technical issues raised by the technical and desktop engineering team in Azure.
  • Investigate and provide advanced technical support for issues desktop engineers are unable to resolve.
  • Coordinate with global teams for escalations and issues requiring global intervention.
  • Act as a liaison between local and global teams to address critical issues requiring international input.
  • Support HBI countries including the UK, Brazil, Germany, Denmark, India, Taiwan, Botswana, Eswatini, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola, Nigeria, and CVH.
  • Coordinate Lean/Share reapply activities and rollout support for additional OpCos to maintain standards and continuity.
  • Assign or remove users and devices to and from Azure groups as requested by engineers.
Contact Information

EUC Technical Support Team Lead: [Lauren Jordaan]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 82 375 5203]

BCX/Distell | August 2022 "“ March 2023

Key Responsibilities
  • Assist in the deployment and configuration of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions across various platforms and devices, ensuring consistency and compliance with organizational policies.
  • Aid in the provisioning of devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, with UEM profiles and policies to enforce security measures and manage device settings.
  • Collaborate with senior engineers to implement and maintain endpoint security measures.
  • Assist in the creation, modification, and enforcement of UEM policies for device security, data protection, application management, and compliance with industry regulations and standards.
  • Support the patch management process by assisting in the testing, deployment, and monitoring of software updates and patches to endpoints to mitigate security vulnerabilities and ensure system stability.
  • Participate in the inventory management of endpoint devices and applications, as well as the monitoring of device health, performance, and compliance status within the UEM platform.
  • Provide technical assistance to IT support teams regarding UEM-related issues, including device enrolment, application installation, data synchronization, and troubleshooting device connectivity or configuration problems.
  • Contribute to the creation and maintenance of documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and incident reports related to UEM activities, ensuring accurate records and effective knowledge transfer.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including IT support, security, and application development teams, to align UEM strategies with organizational objectives.
Contact Information

EUC Technical Support Team Lead [Lauren Jordaan]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 82 375 5203]

EUC Service Centre Manager [Ruth Arendse]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 218 097 000]

African Areté / BCX / Distell | October 2021 "“ March 2022

Key Responsibilities
  • Deliver timely technical assistance via phone and email, maintaining a stellar 90% customer satisfaction rate.
  • Conduct thorough research to devise and implement effective solutions, slashing resolution time by 20%.
  • Take charge of Outlook profile refreshes and software installations, enhancing user experience and functionality.
  • Provide exemplary desktop support, swiftly resolving 95% of user inquiries within 24 hours, thus boosting productivity.
  • Spearhead initiatives to introduce innovative solutions, resulting in a noteworthy 15% reduction in IT incidents.
  • Efficiently manage hardware replacements and software installations to minimize downtime and disruptions.
  • Craft comprehensive troubleshooting documents to facilitate team efficiency and knowledge dissemination.
Contact Information

EUC Technical Support Team Lead [Lauren Jordaan]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 82 375 5203]

EUC Service Centre Manager [Ruth Arendse]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 218 097 000]

First Technologies | April 2021 "“ September 2021

Key Responsibilities
  • Assist in the deployment and configuration of Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions across various platforms and devices, ensuring consistency and compliance with organizational policies.
  • Aid in the provisioning of devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, with UEM profiles and policies to enforce security measures and manage device settings.
  • Collaborate with senior engineers to implement and maintain endpoint security measures.
  • Assist in the creation, modification, and enforcement of UEM policies for device security, data protection, application management, and compliance with industry regulations and standards.
  • Support the patch management process by assisting in the testing, deployment, and monitoring of software updates and patches to endpoints to mitigate security vulnerabilities and ensure system stability.
  • Participate in the inventory management of endpoint devices and applications, as well as the monitoring of device health, performance, and compliance status within the UEM platform.
  • Provide technical assistance to IT support teams regarding UEM-related issues, including device enrollment, application installation, data synchronization, and troubleshooting device connectivity or configuration problems.
  • Contribute to the creation and maintenance of documentation, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and incident reports related to UEM activities, ensuring accurate records and effective knowledge transfer.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including IT support, security, and application development teams, to align UEM strategies with organizational objectives.
Contact Information

EUC Technical Support Team Lead [Lauren Jordaan]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 82 375 5203]

First Technologies [Brighton Mpofu]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 60 975 4049]

ICT Project Manager [Peter Michell]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 65 999 1768]

BCX/Distell | March 2022 "“ August 2022

Key Responsibilities
  • Led the end-to-end execution of an enterprise-wide device replacement and refurbishment initiative (RRIPL).
  • Coordinated logistics and scheduling for the rollout across multiple sites and deployment teams.
  • Managed project timelines, milestones, and delivery against established project baselines.
  • Tracked device replacement progress and maintained accurate replacement records.
  • Coordinated asset recovery and decommissioning of devices removed from service.
  • Reported project status to stakeholders, including progress metrics and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Resolved implementation challenges and bottlenecks to ensure project continuity.
  • Facilitated knowledge transfer and handover documentation for ongoing support teams.
Contact Information

EUC Technical Support Team Lead [Lauren Jordaan]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 82 375 5203]

KHUNJULWA MARKETING SERVICE (KMS); USAPHO LOLUHLE; UIF Learnership Programme; MICT SETA | September 2018 "“ January 2021

Key Responsibilities
  • Conducted interactive and engaging training sessions for learners across various programs, including Assistant Chef, Business Analysis, Advertising & Promotions, and Cyber Security.
  • Adapted facilitation techniques to meet diverse learner needs and learning styles.
  • Assessed learner performance based on NQF standards and training outcomes.
  • Reviewed and graded learner portfolios to ensure compliance with program requirements and standards.
  • Provided constructive feedback and guidance to learners to improve their skills and understanding.
  • Delivered structured content for financial management, data design, and cyber security in line with SETA requirements.
  • Developed training materials and resources to enhance learner engagement and knowledge retention.
  • Maintained accurate records of learner attendance, progress, and assessment results.
  • Ensured all documentation and reporting complied with relevant SETA and program guidelines.
  • Collaborated with stakeholders, including service providers and educational institutions, to ensure successful delivery of learnerships and training programs.
  • Monitored the implementation of training programs, resolving challenges to ensure smooth operations.
  • Ensured all training and assessments aligned with NQF standards and MICT SETA guidelines.
  • Conducted moderation activities to verify the quality and consistency of learner assessments.
Key Achievements
  • Facilitated the successful completion of multiple NQF-level programs, impacting numerous learners' professional growth.
  • Delivered high-quality training sessions, consistently receiving positive feedback from learners and stakeholders.
  • Ensured compliance with SETA regulations, achieving high success rates for learner accreditation.
Contact Information

Organization: KHUNJULWA MARKETING SERVICE (KMS); USAPHO LOLUHLE; UIF Learnership Programme; MICT SETA

National Administrator: [Elizabeth Leloka]

Email: [[email protected]]

Phone: [+27 10 447 1294]

Itholelomzansi Foundation | January 2015 "“ Present

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement strategic plans for community development and youth empowerment projects.
  • Provide leadership and direction to ensure the foundation's objectives align with community needs.
  • Design and execute programs that address key issues such as education, employment, entrepreneurship, and life skills.
  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing projects to ensure impact and sustainability.
  • Edit scripts for film projects, ensuring high-quality content that aligns with the foundation's goals.
  • Oversee the final compilation of documents for projects and events, ensuring accuracy and professionalism.
  • Plan and coordinate all aspects of film and video production shoots, including scheduling, logistics, and resource allocation.
  • Create all required documents for events, ensuring compliance with relevant legal, regulatory, and safety standards.
  • Identify funding opportunities and build relationships with donors, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
  • Prepare proposals and presentations to secure financial and material support for projects.
  • Collaborate with government entities, NGOs, community leaders, and private sector partners to enhance the foundation's reach and impact.
  • Serve as a liaison between the foundation and the community to identify pressing needs and opportunities for development.
  • Organize workshops, seminars, and events to empower and educate youth and other community members.
  • Design posters and promotional materials for events and projects.
  • Manage the foundation's social media pages, ensuring consistent and engaging content to build a strong online presence.
  • Create and maintain the foundation's website to ensure functionality, accessibility, and up-to-date information.
  • Oversee day-to-day operations of the foundation, including staff management, budgeting, and reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements for non-profit organizations.
  • Advocate for social and economic development policies that benefit underserved communities.
  • Raise awareness about the foundation's mission and programs through public speaking, media, and outreach campaigns.
Key Achievements
  • Successfully launched Gender-Based Violence Match done annually.
  • Directly impacted the lives of 75 youth from underprivileged society, currently part of the foundation.
  • Created and maintained a strong online presence, increasing community engagement.
  • Expanded the foundation's reach to different schools where it runs free theatre classes.
  • Foundation Website: www.itholelomzansi.com
Contact Information

Organization: Itholelomzansi Foundation

Website: www.itholelomzansi.com

Email: [email protected]

Phone: [+27 87 133 1917]

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