The South African media industry is in mourning following the death of journalist Nabeelah Shaikh, who was 34 years old. A Janazah notice issued by the Central Islamic Trust on Saturday, November 14, announced her passing, although the cause of death has not been made public. Shaikh was an investigative reporter at eNCA at the time of her death. She was the daughter of Zafarullah and Rashida Bibi Shaikh, wife of Waseem Ally, and mother of Maahira Shaikh.
Shaikh was a multi-award-winning journalist known for her tenacity and bravery. Before joining eNCA, she worked as a senior producer at Seen.tv, Hashtag Our Stories, etv, and as a multimedia journalist at Independent Newspapers, under the Sunday Tribune title. Her passing is a significant loss to the South African journalism fraternity. Just less than two weeks ago, Shaikh had announced that she was expecting her second child.
Colleagues and industry leaders have been paying tribute to Shaikh, remembering her as a fearless and compassionate journalist. IOL CEO, Viasen Soobramoney, shared a message of condolence, recalling his time working with Shaikh in a newsroom in KZN. He described her as a committed journalist and a wonderful human being who was full of compassion.
IOL Content Manager, Jolene Marriah-Maharaj, also shared a message of condolence, describing Shaikh as a devoted mother, a dedicated journalist, and one of the kindest souls she had ever known. Former editor at The Post, Daily News, and Sunday Tribune, Akash Bramdeo, remembered Shaikh as a passionate journalist who worked on several investigations that earned her the Editors' Choice section of the Vodacom Journalist of the Year competition in 2016.
SA anti-crime expert Yusuf Abramjee expressed his sadness and devastation at Shaikh's passing, describing it as a heartbreaking loss. He offered his thoughts and prayers to her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones during this difficult time. The South African media industry has lost a shining star, with many remembering Shaikh for her bravery and commitment to journalism.
Shaikh's colleagues at eNCA and other media organizations have been paying tribute to her, sharing messages of condolence and remembering her as a dedicated and passionate journalist. Her legacy will live on through her work and the impact she had on the South African journalism industry.
The outpouring of tributes and condolences for Shaikh is a testament to her impact on the journalism industry and the lives of those who knew her. Her family, friends, and colleagues will miss her dearly, and she will be remembered for her bravery, compassion, and commitment to telling important stories.
Key points
- Nabeelah Shaikh was a multi-award-winning investigative reporter at eNCA.
- She was remembered by colleagues and industry leaders as a fearless and compassionate journalist.
- Shaikh's passing has left a significant void in the South African journalism industry.
