Journalist and co-founder of Likhanyile Media Group, Ms Slindile Charity Khanyile was awarded a Master of Commerce in Leadership Studies for her dissertation, An Exploratory Study of the Financial Sustainability of Philanthrojournalism in South Africa.

The advent of digital media has challenged print media. Khanyile said she aimed to contribute to the sustainability discussion in the media industry. ‘Globally we are all trying to find solutions to stay afloat and funding from philanthropic organisations is an option that news outlets in South Africa should consider.’

Khanyile is the editor of Umbele, an isiZulu daily financial online publication, which recently won the best online publication award at the Community Media and Creatives Awards.

She has worked as the editor of Isolezwe and she is a board member of the Association of Independent Publishers, the South African National Editors’ Forum and the Advertising Regulatory Board. Her love for storytelling led to the publication of a biography documenting the life of a veteran Ukhozi FM broadcaster Ms Dudu Khoza. The title of the book is: Longevity: The Story of Dudu “Lady D” Khoza.

She said that she enjoyed every minute of her experience at UKZN and reaped the rewards from day one. ‘A business school is one of the best networking platforms,’ she said.

Khanyile’s study was supervised by Dr Bhaso Yalezo of the Graduate School of Business and Leadership at UKZN.

Words: Ayanda Radebe

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini