By Charmaine Ndlela
The South African government has joined the media fraternity in mourning the death of award-winning investigative journalist Nabeelah Shaikh, who died alongside her unborn child on Saturday, 14 November, following a short illness. She was 34.
Shaikh, an investigative reporter at 24-hour news broadcaster eNCA, had recently been selected to join the station’s newly launched investigations unit.
Her death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from government, media organisations and political parties, which have paid tribute to her contribution to journalism and her commitment to exposing wrongdoing.
In a statement, government expressed deep sadness at her death and acknowledged the role her work played in informing the public and strengthening democracy.
“Her work and contribution to journalism formed part of the important role the media plays in informing the public and strengthening democracy,” government said.
The board and management of Media Holdings, together with eNCA’s executive management, also expressed their sadness, describing Shaikh as a valued member of the team whose loss would be felt across the country.
“At 34, she had already earned a strong reputation as a no-nonsense journalist who was never afraid to go anywhere or ask the toughest questions,” eNCA said.
The broadcaster said Shaikh was widely respected by her peers and had received several awards for her reporting.
Beyond her journalism career, she was remembered as a loving wife, daughter and devoted mother to her young daughter.
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) also expressed sadness at her death, paying tribute to her dedication to investigative journalism.
“SANEF pays tribute to a courageous journalist whose work reflected a deep commitment to her craft,” the organisation said.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) extended its condolences to her husband, Waseem Ally, their daughter Maahira, her parents, Zafarullah and Rashida Bibi Shaikh, her brothers and the wider family.
The party also paid tribute to her colleagues at eNCA and the other media organisations where she had worked.
Shaikh began her journalism career in 2013 as a multimedia journalist at the Sunday Tribune, part of Independent Newspapers.
Her talent was recognised early in her career when she received an award at the 2016 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards, aged just 23.
The SACP said her investigative reporting had helped expose wrongdoing and contributed to efforts to combat crime and corruption.
“As the SACP, we greatly appreciate her contribution to the fight against crime, including all forms of corruption, and her contribution to this work will never be forgotten,” the party said.
Shaikh and her unborn child were laid to rest at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.
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