UMZUKULU KAMHLANGANYELWA
One of KwaZulu-Natal’s best-known journalists, Phila Duma-Mthembu, has landed a new role at Durban-based commercial radio station East Coast Radio, where he joins the news team as a news anchor.
The announcement comes just days after Duma-Mthembu revealed that he was leaving Newzroom Afrika, a move that caught many by surprise as he did not disclose the reasons for his departure.
Throughout his career, Duma-Mthembu has built a reputation for reporting from the frontline of some of the province’s biggest and most dangerous stories.
He was among the journalists who covered the activities of the notorious West Gang in Nanda. During one live crossing, viewers witnessed the dramatic arrest of an armed robbery suspect while Duma-Mthembu was reporting from the scene.
The fearless journalist also found himself at the centre of the highly charged Addington Primary School controversy, where protests erupted over allegations that undocumented foreign learners had been admitted to the school.
His reporting on the story sparked outrage among some ANC supporters during the “March and March” campaign. At one point, an ANC activist allegedly threatened to kill him. Despite the intimidation, Duma-Mthembu refused to back down and continued covering the story, earning praise from many South Africans for his courage and commitment to the public’s right to know.
Before joining Newzroom Afrika, Duma-Mthembu worked at Vuma FM, where he established himself as a respected radio journalist.
His move to East Coast Radio marks a return to radio and opens a new chapter in his broadcasting career.
His appointment has been widely welcomed on social media, with many listeners saying East Coast Radio has gained a seasoned journalist known for remaining calm under pressure and delivering credible news when it matters most.
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