By Shelton Muchena – witnessing courage from afar, inspired by Desmond Nleya, journalist in the UAE
It was the early hours in England when my phone buzzed. A message from my best friend, Desmond Nleya, flashed on the screen: the UAE was under attack. He was alone. His family, thousands of kilometres away in South Africa, had no way of knowing what was happening. My heart sank. I whispered a prayer: Lord, save my friend. He has only a pen and a paper to document what is happening. He has You, Jesus.
Desmond is more than a journalist. He is a devoted family man, the sole breadwinner for his loved ones, and someone who carries the weight of responsibility with quiet dignity. Yet, amid fear and uncertainty, he continued to document history in real time. Bombings, shattered streets, families hiding in basements, and fleeting moments of courage all were captured through his words and images. Each story was not merely a report; it was a lifeline connecting lives to the global conscience.
From England, I could do nothing but watch and pray. Each message from Desmond revealed the resilience of the human spirit. One day he recounted a young boy delivering bread to elderly neighbours despite the chaos around him. Another day, he described doctors improvising treatments with scarce supplies. Through Desmond’s eyes, I saw courage, resourcefulness, and defiance in the face of overwhelming fear.
I knew that his work could not remain confined to our private messages. I began amplifying his accounts, sharing his stories with humanitarian organisations and international platforms, ensuring the world bore witness to what he observed firsthand. His pen became a beacon amid destruction, illuminating the truth, compelling action, and preserving history that might otherwise be forgotten.
This experience reshaped my understanding of global crises. Even from afar, one can bear witness, amplify voices, and contribute to change. Through friendship, prayer, and advocacy, I helped ensure that Desmond’s work reached the world—and that the courage he chronicled would not go unnoticed.
For me, this is more than a story. It is a testament to the power of empathy, responsibility, and global engagement. It demonstrates my ability to connect human experience with international awareness, a skill I hope to bring to the Global Talent visa. Witnessing courage from afar, I learned that even in distance, one can make an impact.
