Andile Nayika
South Africa

Andile Nayika was born and raised in Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown, South Africa, and currently works as a community facilitator for the Action4Accountability project at the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM). His early interest in creative writing and documenting social issues and human experiences led him to become a staff reporter for Grocott’s Mail and rural-based S’Kawara News, before venturing out to mainstream media at the Mail and Guardian in Johannesburg. He has also volunteered at many local radio stations and produced his own podcast series, The African Agenda News. He is the producer and presenter of The People’s Hour/iYure yoLuntu, a weekly radio show aimed at amplifying the community’s voice to enhance social accountability. He has also published his poetry in several publications and platforms. His debut poetry collection, Akuwe, was launched at the Amazwi South African Literature Museum during the 2019 National Arts Festival. Andile is currently working on his second poetry collection. Following completion of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Andile plans to continue to encourage social accountability in Makhanda through meaningful civic action.