By Sanele Khumalo
A Durban University of Technology (DUT) third-year Journalism student from Westville, Durban, is making waves after his recent inclusion in the Mail & Guardians Top 200 Young South Africans 2024.
Enzokuhle Sabela’s growth being recognised in the Editor’s Choice category exemplifies the power of youth ambition and journalistic brilliance. His accomplishments not only represent a personal milestone, but also foreshadows a promising future for the next generation of storytellers.
He has written three opinion pieces for the Mail & Guardian, worked as a sports commentator at Durban Youth Radio and hosted a politics podcast called The South African Conversation by DUT Journalism, which focuses on youth participation in politics.
Sabela said that his choice to pursue a Journalism degree was influenced by his family’s love for reading. “From an incredibly early age, I was reading newspapers and in the mornings I was always forced to watch and listen to the news, while children my age were watching cartoons,” he remembers.
He additionally touched on how journalism captivated his heart after watching Xoli Mngambi’s coverage of the Marikana Massacre and Karyn Maughan’s coverage of the Oscar Pistorius trial.
Sabela considers this year’s win as his biggest professional highlight to date. “Winning the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans Award so early in my career while I am still pursuing my journalism degree is a massive honour. I did not expect it to happen so soon.”
Reflecting on getting published in Mail & Guardian, he said: “My first article, which I wrote for the Mail & Guardian, was with my mentor, Fidel Hadebe. Having to see my name right under the title of Mail & Guardian was just an (inexplicable) feeling. It is something I will never forget.”
He also shared how writing his second article was rather challenging as he had
shared it with other publications, but it never got published. “I had to go back to the drawing board and rewrite it, and it only got published this year in February. It is by far the hardest piece I had to write.”
He added that he strongly believes his hard work was evident in the article, as it led him to being invited to the biggest broadcasters in the country, like Newzoom Afrika, where he got to discuss the article at length with Mngambi, whom he grew up watching.
Sabela said his work ethic and drive set him apart from everyone and believes that the never-ending quest of chasing his goals and support from his family keep him going.
One of his classmates, Noluthando Dlamini, shared her thoughts on Sabela’s win.
“When I heard that Enzokuhle’s had won the Mail & Guardian award, I was not surprised, but rather impressed. This achievement speaks volumes about who Enzokuhle is. Since the beginning of the academic year (first year), he has always worked hard and excelled in his studies.
“I can tell that this is something he enjoys. He enjoys reading, writing, research and anything related to politics. I remember asking him why he chose journalism because I wanted to confirm my observations, and I was right; he genuinely enjoys what he does because it stems from his interests,” she added.
Friend and classmate Nkanyiso Mchunu said that attending class every day with someone who is in the Mail & Guardian Top 200 affirms to him that he is at the right institution.
Commenting on Enzokuhle’s milestone, DUT Digital Journalism lecturer Sphelele
Ngubane said: “The recognition of Enzokuhle by the Mail & Guardian is not a surprise. He
embodies excellence, and shows passion and dedication in all he engages in.
“I think in academia, we would all envy having a student like Enzokuhle, who takes a keen interest in their learning and continuously challenges themselves and their ideas. Other students can learn from Enzokuhle that unless you show interest and put your money where your mouth is, you will not stand out.”
Ngubane believes that Sabela has a bright future ahead of him and has laid a solid foundation for himself. “Undoubtedly, he will lead in whatever path he chooses to pursue after his junior degree.”
