Enzokuhle Sabela, a third-year journalism student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), is celebrating a significant achievement after being named in the esteemed Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans 2024.

This prestigious accolade highlights the outstanding contributions of young South Africans across various fields. Sabela was nominated in the editor’s choice category, a testament to the editors’ recognition of his remarkable work and impactful career.

When speaking of his achievement and what it means for his career in journalism, Sabela exclaimed that it was an unbelievable honour to win the award. “It means everything to me, even in my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined being an award-winning journalist before finishing my degree,” he said.

Besides being a student at DUT, Sabela is also a programme facilitator and head of social media and marketing at Tomorrow’s Leaders in Training (TLT South Africa), which is an organisation that guides young people. He has written three opinion pieces for Mail and Guardian. He also hosts a politics podcast called The South African Conversation by DUT Journalism which is about youth participation in politics. He relayed that his goal for the future is to make an impact in the journalism sphere.

“I hope to achieve all my goals, make a lasting impact in the world of journalism, and be regarded as a powerhouse in the industry. I want to live by my name, ‘Enzokuhle’ and do good and elevate my family name.”

Sabela’s advice to young people as well as fellow journalism students is to not follow another person’s path but to create one’s own.

“Plot your path and achieve something that makes you happy, work hard, and always aim to be the best. Making a positive impact starts with making a positive impact in your life. Change your mindset and your life for the better, everything else comes naturally.”

Speaking on Sabela was Programme Coordinator: DUT Journalism, Deseni Soobben. “We are extremely proud of Enzokuhle Sabela for his most recent accolade, as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2024. Sabela has shown commitment throughout his studies in the Bachelor of Journalism Degree.  His enthusiasm and passion for journalism is inspiring to students. We wish him all the success in his studies and career, and may he continue to fly the DUT Journalism flag high.”

Pictured:  Enzokuhle Sabela

Minenhle Zikhali