By Sanele Khumalo and Lucia Gxigxa
Consistent hard work and striving for excellence always has paid off handsomely for a Durban University of Technology (DUT) senior Journalism Programme’s student. She was awarded the prestigious Student of the Year (2024) at the recent DUT Journalism Student Awards.
Whitney Essay graduated cum laude with the Dean’s Merit Award. Her accolade not only underscores her talent and dedication, but also highlights her commitment to pushing the boundaries of storytelling.
Essay, 26, has her online publication, called Newsbae, is now pursuing an Honours degree in Journalism and is a co-founder of Queer Women of Durban, a movement that curates safe spaces and provides support for the LGBTQ+ community.
Sharing what inspired her to enrol in the Journalism Programme, she reflected on her childhood. ”Growing up, I watched the news every morning while getting ready for school. I was always fascinated by the way reporters spoke and how they brought important issues to the forefront for the public. I have always felt like my purpose is to disrupt the status quo and I feel like that is what journalists are doing exactly.”
Looking back at her three-year journey at DUT as a Journalism student, Essay spoke about the challenges she has endured. “My journey has been a rollercoaster. I grew up in the flats of Shallcross, which are plagued by drugs and gangsterism, so I did not have the best role models. I started my degree at the age of 23, after facing funding constraints and mental health issues,” she remembers.
Bibi Ayesha Mall, Essay’s former Print Journalism lecturer, provided an insightful commentary on her journey and achievements. ”Essay is a dedicated student. She immerses herself in her assignments and projects. This is reflected in her consistently high scholastic achievements. She produces stories that are well considered and show depth,” she said.
She is not only a dedicated student, but also runs an organisation advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. “Being queer, I often feel isolated and alone. I felt misunderstood and out of place in the world and I know there are thousands of queer people who feel the same way here in Durban. That is how the Queer Women of Durban movement was born.”
Also, Essay is the first graduate in her family. She expressed that her life’s purpose is fuelled by the undeserved favour of God and family support. “I was the first in my family to even finish high school. They are elated about the fact that there is now a degree holder in the family. They are very supportive and very proud of all my achievements.”
About her future plans, Essay aspires to establish a media house, lecturing at various universities worldwide, while continuing to chronicle the stories of the LGBTQ+ community.
With her grit and determination, nothing can stand in her way.
