Stories have the power to inspire, to educate and to transform. Curiosity is the spark that ignites the flame of investigative journalism. We have seen the brutality that is experienced by some people, especially those that do no really have a voice for themselves. It comes in many inhumane forms, the killings, the hunger, the despair you name it. It has taken away something valuable from the people, their dignity and sanity. Now, imagine a world where corruption, abuse of power, and injustice run rampant. That’s where investigative journalism gets to shine brighter to shed the light for those who are feeling the plight. However does it really get the attention it deserves? What does it take for the journalists? Is it easy to do? The answer to these questions is undoubtedly NO! understandably so. That one job needs a courageous, patriotic and mostly empathetic person of which not everyone is that kind of a person.

Imagine you have to interview a municipality treasurer who is allegedly misusing the funds for the construction of a road for their personal selfish reasons and on the other side there are 55 learners who lost their lives on the bus crash due to bad road state? As unfortunate as that is, someone should be held accountable because a lot is at stake. Now as you interview this person, they’re are demonstrating ignorance, unapologetic and claiming that the bus driver and the learners were in the wrong for not wearing a safety belt. As a journalist how are you feeling? Livid of course because after all you’re a human before you’re a journalist but the professionalism must be the centre of your behavior and again you’re sad because there are parents who are mourning for their children and on the other side no-one wants to own up to the mess.

I once watched an episode from one of South Africa’s well-known investigative journalism show. This particular municipality is responsible for the well-being of the cemetery, they have to ensure that it is clean, well fenced and accessible to the families who had their loved ones laid there. Now when the journalism team arrives, they notice that the cemetery is bushy and there’s no sign of fencing. Then they go to the mayor to enquire about the whole issue, guess what the mayor said? She blatantly told them that she had no idea that the cemetery was not maintained because they get notified by the local newspaper about anything that is going on so they never received a complaint about the cemetery.

Well I can’t tell if she’s right by relying on a newspapers for issues but then shouldn’t she be the one who is facilitating an engagement with the community to ensure that the community’s concerns are heard and addressed? Now it’s like she’s shifting the blame on the “newspapers” for not publishing a story about the abondaned cemetery. So how should the community feel about that because they’re the ones who elected her, does she care enough? This does not only demonstrate negligence but also leaves you with questions on how much matters are being ignored by the mayor for simply turning the blind eye on pressing issues. If as a community we vote for you to present us and manage our resources accordingly, it means that we have faith in your leadership. Of course things won’t always go smoothly, there are so many unforseen occurrences but at least you should try to be accountable, understanding and putting yourself in the shoes of the affected ones.

As difficult as investigative journalism is, someone must do it. However it is important to highlight how transformative it is, it has a power to confront the authority and to hold people accountable. I really commend them for their great work as it seems like a draining work as you’re dealing with people who are arrogant, selfish and lacking sympathy.