RIP | Award-winning SA journalist Nabeelah Shaikh dies
Award-winning South African journalist Nabeelah Shaikh has died at the age of 34.
The Central Islamic Trust announced her death in a funeral notice on Saturday, 14 November.
Shaikh, an investigative reporter for eNCA, was seven months pregnant with her second child.
The cause of her death remains unknown.
NABEELAH SHAIKH’S JOURNALISM CAREER
Originally from Tongaat in KwaZulu-Natal, Shaikh began her journalism career at the Sunday Tribune in 2013.
The Durban University of Technology graduate also worked for e.tv, Seen.tv and Hashtag Our Stories before joining eNCA.
She received several accolades for her reporting, including recognition at the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards.
Her recent assignments included the killings of women in Ekurhuleni and the 2026 local government elections.
COLLEAGUES PAY TRIBUTE
News of Shaikh’s death sent shockwaves through the media fraternity on Saturday.
IOL CEO Viasen Soobramoney described her as “a fearless journalist that was committed to her craft”.
Her former journalism lecturer, Robin Sewlal, also expressed his sadness at her passing.
“Shocked and stunned. Gone far too young,” he wrote.
Shaikh leaves behind her husband, Waseem Ally, daughter Maahira, parents and brothers.
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