Thembisa journalist scoops award for excellence
“The biggest challenge in my career was when a CPF member sent me a fake story. When I called to verify the information, he reassured me it was correct."
Thembisa journalist Mfanelo Dzanibe was recently named the best journalist at the annual GBV Awards held at Emperors Palace.
He competed with journalists from top newsrooms in his category and won as an independent journalist.
Etv journalist McIntosh Polela, who, in his prime, once did a story in Dzanibe’s village in Emahhwini, inspired the KZN-born journalist.
From there, his passion grew, and his hard work was rewarded.
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He attended a journalism workshop in Norwood and got insights into the structures of journalism. He later became part of the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ), which helped him improve his journalism skills.
Dzanibe spoke about the joy of being a top prize winner in his category.
“Being recognised as the best journalist, as voted by the people, gave me joy. It made me realise we must spread love because people have shown me love by recognising my work.
“This win is not automatic; it was the people’s choice. They took their time to vote for me, and we are here today. This gesture truly humbles me.
“I believe journalism is not just a profession because it is a passion. Once this passion is realised, it’s crucial to stay truthful, never be biased or use sources for personal agendas.
“Always be fair, honest and remember that every experience is a story, and never be judgemental,” emphasised Dzanibe, underlining the importance of these values in journalism.
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On his journey, he encountered events that nearly ended his career. Still, with the right mindset, he dusted himself off and learnt from his mistakes.
“The biggest challenge in my career was when a CPF member sent me a fake story and made it real. When I called to verify the information, he reassured me it was correct.
“I then realised the story was fake after publishing it, forcing me to retract and fix my mistakes.
“It was a lesson for me because after that incident, I worked hard to mark my territory, and I am delighted to see my hard work paying off.”
Outside of journalism, he is a maskandi musician working on a 13-track album.
Kempton Express News Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFCgQQ4NViqzTKFGb31
