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How Karabo Isaiah went from civil engineering student to award-winning South African news anchor and storyteller

The former civil engineering student and educator has become a Moja Love 157 news anchor and digital storyteller, using journalism to amplify community voices and inspire South Africans.

Tsakani – Sometimes life’s greatest purpose is found on a path never planned. Award-winning storyteller, news anchor and digital creator Karabo Isaiah is proving that success is not always about following your original career choice, but about embracing the opportunities that align with your passion and purpose.

From studying civil engineering to becoming one of South Africa’s emerging voices in journalism, Isaiah has built a career dedicated to informing, inspiring and giving ordinary people a platform to share their stories.

Born and raised in Tsakani, Isaiah attended Brakpan Primary School before completing matric at Brakpan High School in 2013.

She initially pursued a qualification in Civil Engineering at Damelin College before later obtaining a teaching qualification.

From 2018 until early 2025, Isaiah worked as an educator, a profession that reflected her passion for empowering others through knowledge.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021 that my journey took an unexpected turn. What started as content creation soon revealed a natural gift for storytelling.


Karabo Isaiah is a civil engineer by profession. Photo: Supplied

“It was not intentional. People recognised that I was a natural storyteller and encouraged me to pursue it,” said Isaiah.

That encouragement became the catalyst for a career in media.

Since 2021, Isaiah has continued to develop her skills as a news presenter and storyteller, earning recognition for her authentic delivery and ability to tell stories that resonate with everyday South Africans.

Today, she serves as a news anchor for Moja Love 157, a role she describes as one she never imagined when she was studying engineering and working as a teacher.

“Despite the career change, I believe journalism perfectly aligns with my life’s purpose.

“Beyond television, I have embraced social media as an extension of my work, using digital platforms to celebrate resilience, highlight community voices and connect with younger audiences,” she added.


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She believes journalism should not only inform but also create meaningful connections between people and their lived experiences.

“Every story carries the power to change a life. When people see themselves reflected in the stories we tell, they realise that their experiences matter.

“Storytelling transformed my life, and I believe it has the power to transform others too,” Isaiah explained.

Her commitment to authentic storytelling has earned her recognition as an award-winning storyteller and continues to grow her influence within South Africa’s evolving media landscape.

Isaiah hopes her journey encourages others to remain open to unexpected opportunities and to pursue careers that reflect their purpose rather than simply their qualifications.

As she continues to build her career in broadcasting and digital media, Isaiah remains committed to telling stories that educate, inspire and give a voice to those who are often unheard.

At Caxton, every story is written by humans. We use AI only to perform quality checks - never to generate the news. Happy reading!

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Nomsa Ngubeni

I believe that I'm an outgoing and adventurous storyteller at heart, who loves being a mouthpiece for all those who cannot tell their own stories.

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