am Shakong is a trained Sociologist who has a Masters Degree from Adelphi University in Long Island New York where he also lectured. After a while he decided to go back to Southern Africa for a more challenging experience. His first job upon coming home from exile was a seven month stint at Fort Hare university as a replacement for Deputy Registrar who had extended his study leave abroad.

He arrived in Gaborone, Botswana, a few months before the arrival of the 1976 Soweto students whom he helped mentor. He later taught at the University of Botswana and the United Nations Institute for Namibia in Zambia. Returning to South Africa, he became Personal Advisor to the Vice Chancellor at the University of North West in Mahikeng, before serving as Senior Manager at the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa.

An avid collector of African art and music, he is passionate about preserving our cultural heritage. In retirement, he spends most mornings at the gym and continues to research and write the biography of Jonas Gwangwa. He is also the author of I Want to See the Sun Rise, a compelling account of fatherhood in exile and his relationship with his daughter.