‘She was fearless’: Ex-Joburg mayor mourns Nabeelah Shaikh
Former City of Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has expressed his sadness following the death of award-winning eNCA journalist Nabeelah Shaikh.
Shaikh who was pregnant died in hospital on Saturday, 14 November, following a short illness.
CONDOLENCES POUR IN FOR NABEELAH SHAIKH
According to eNCA, Shaikh was laid to rest on Saturday evening alongside her unborn child.
Taking to X, Morero described Shaikh as a fearless and familiar presence on the streets of Johannesburg who ensured that residents’ voices were heard.
“To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Nabeelah Shaikh, eNCA’s award-winning investigative reporter, who was laid to rest last night together with her unborn child.
“Nabeelah was a fearless and familiar presence on the streets of Johannesburg. She went wherever the story was and made sure our residents’ voices were heard. At just 34, she leaves behind a body of work that held power to account, and a family who loved her dearly,” he wrote.
The former mayor also extended his condolences to Shaikh’s husband, daughter, family and loved ones.
“To her husband Waseem, her little girl Maahira, her parents Zafarullah and Rashida Bibi Shaikh, her brothers, and the eNCA family and the wider media fraternity, please accept my heartfelt condolences. May Allah grant her and her baby Jannatul Firdous, and grant her loved ones sabr in this painful time. Rest in peace, Nabeelah.”
— Executive Mayor: @CityofJoburgZA (@DadaMorero) November 15, 2026Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un. To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Nabeelah Shaikh, eNCA's award-winning investigative reporter, who was laid to rest last night together with her unborn child.
Nabeelah was a fearless and… pic.twitter.com/zzzBTyZNoq
MEDIA FRATERNITY MOURNS RENOWNED JOURNALIST
Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues and members of the media fraternity following the 34-year-old journalist’s passing.
The National Press Club and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) also expressed their condolences, remembering Shaikh as a dedicated journalist whose work reflected her commitment to the profession.
eNCA colleagues Manqoba Mchunu and Slindile Sebata also took to social media to pay tribute to their colleague.
“Rest well, Nabeelah Shaikh. We are heartbroken by your passing and that of our niece. May Allah grant you both Jannah and give your family strength. You were such a kind, sweet and caring soul. A true younger sister. Gone too soon. Rest in eternal peace,” Mchunu wrote.
“I can’t believe the news I woke up to. This is not how your story was meant to end. But you are no longer in pain. Rest in eternal glory. I’ll miss our chats and your beautiful energy. You are one of a kind,” Sebata wrote.
— Silindelo Sebata (@Sli_Masikane) November 15, 2026Nabeelah. Sis. 💔 I can't believe the news I woke up too. This is not how your story was meant to end. But you are no longer in pain. Rest in eternal glory. I'll miss our chats and your beautiful energy. You are one of a kind.
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