In September 2023, INMA awarded 30 young professionals around the world with its fourth “30 Under 30” award as part of its Young Professionals Initiative. This is the 19th in a series of 30 features about the impressive rising media stars who are shaping our industry. 

In just four years, Cwayita Nondula has gone from a student intern to an acting content editor at South Africa’s I’solezwe lesiXhosa, thanks to a combination of journalism skills, strong work ethic, and leadership abilities. She also is willing to use her skills on projects outside her normal duties, which has only helped boost her career growth.

When Entsimini, an agricultural newspaper owned by the same company, was struggling to find its audience, Cwayita saw an opportunity:

“Entsimini needed a platform of its own to grow, so I decided to make it. I developed social media channels and incorporated videos to boost the content because visual content is more engaging.”

Her actions successfully developed a following for the publication and established a network with local farmers who also had a social media presence — something that benefitted both the farmers and the publication.

Cwayita feels strongly about community development and has worked on the company’s social media strategy to boost audience engagement. She has seen how beneficial it is for an audience to feel valued and heard and looks forward to deepening those relationships.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .