TimePrints – Yusuf Abramjee on why it is important to expose crime in South Africa
In this episode of TimePrints, the new podcast hosted by Aki Anastasiou, Yusuf Abramjee unpacks his lifelong fight against crime and injustice.
Abramjee is an award-winning South African journalist and anti-crime activist.
He is well-known in South Africa for the work he has done exposing and covering important matters in the country.
Early in his career, Abramjee worked as a reporter at the SABC and Talk Radio 702.
He won many awards for his reporting and was promoted to station manager at Talk Radio 702, before becoming Primedia’s head of news and programming.
Abramjee also founded Tax Justice South Africa, an organization committed to exposing how criminals are looting South Africa.
He is a leading journalistic voice on social media, bringing attention to the crime and other important political events taking place in South Africa.
The interview
In this TimePrints interview, Yusuf Abramjee reflects on his upbringing, journalism career, fight against crime, and unwavering belief in South Africa’s future.
He begins by discussing his childhood in Lady Selborne, Pretoria, and how his family’s forced removal under apartheid shaped his understanding of justice and equality.
Abramjee then explains how his father and grandfather instilled in him the importance of helping others, staying informed, and making a positive difference in his community.
He recalls his early passion for journalism, his brief career as a teacher, and how he eventually became a reporter for the SABC.
Abramjee then shares the remarkable story of how reporting on a bombing in Pretoria led to his career at Talk Radio 702, where he eventually became station manager and later group head of news and programming at Primedia Broadcasting.
He discusses his transition from journalism to crime activism, highlighting his involvement in initiatives such as Crime Line 321 and Lead SA, and explains why he believes South Africans must hold the government accountable for the country’s high crime levels.
Abramjee also reflects on the emotional impact of covering violent crimes and tragedies throughout his career, as well as the death threats he has received for speaking out against criminals.
He then shares why his faith, family, and commitment to community service remain central to his life, highlighting several humanitarian initiatives he has supported both locally and internationally.
Abramjee concludes the interview by discussing the legacy he hopes to leave behind and explaining why, despite South Africa’s many challenges, he remains optimistic that ordinary citizens can work together to build a safer and better country.
