From humble beginnings to the United Nations, University of Pretoria (UP) alumnus Robert Shivambu ­– a former journalist turned global human rights advocate – has shown how education, passion and purpose can reshape destinies. With roots in Thomo village, outside Giyani township in Limpopo, and a master’s degree in human rights law from UP, Shivambu is using the power of storytelling to influence international policy, and advocate for the right to health and justice for people living with HIV.

“Storytelling is a skill,” says Shivambu, a global communications officer for UNAIDS. “It’s my foundation. Whether you’re a human rights worker, diplomat or a lawyer, you need to be able to tell human rights stories to justify your position. I was lucky because I started in journalism and learned how to tell stories early in my career.”

He holds a National Diploma in Journalism from Tshwane University of Technology (2007) and obtained a B-Tech in 2009. His interest in global issues led him to pursue a BA (Hons) degree in International Relations from the University of the Witwatersrand (2018 – 2019) to better understand how countries engage at bilateral and multilateral levels, and a master’s in Multidisciplinary Human Rights from UP.

Shivambu began his career in journalism in 2008 as an intern at news broadcaster eNCA, where his interest in African affairs was quickly recognised.

“When I joined eNCA as an intern in October 2008, eNCA Africa Editor Chris Maroleng asked me to join his desk, which he was building at the time, to produce African news content for the station,” he recalls.

Driven by a strong interest in the continent’s political landscape, as an intern, he also worked unofficially as a producer for the Africa division.

“The first story I was asked to write was on protests in Madagascar led by Andry Rajoelina – the former mayor of the country’s capital and now president – against Marc Ravalomanana, who was president at the time and who Rajoelina accused of failing the country,” Shivambu says.

This early exposure allowed him to cover several stories related to human rights and social justice, placing him in rooms and countries he never imagined he would visit.

“This included travelling to Zimbabwe to cover the historic 2013 constitutional referendum and travelling to New York in September 2013 to cover the 68^th General Assembly for PowerFM,” he says.

After his time at PowerFM, Shivambu joined human rights organisation Amnesty International, serving as one of its media managers between 2014 and 2023. There, he worked with journalists around the world to document and expose human rights violations.

“These are some of the career highlights that shaped my growth in journalism and international relations, and propelled me to join UNAIDS in 2023, where I work as a global communications officer – as a storyteller to highlight the impact of the global HIV response. I work with countries to ensure that we end AIDS as a public health threat and ensure access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV.”

Shivambu’s decision to pursue a Master of Laws in Multidisciplinary Human Rights at UP was influenced by his time at Amnesty International and the strong legal foundation that the organisation relies on.

“I worked with them on different thematic human rights areas, including freedom of association, assembly and expression; the death penalty; business and human rights; and gender and sexuality.”

He decided to study at UP for both strategic and aspirational reasons.

“UP’s law school was an obvious choice, because I was looking for a place where I could be taught by the best in the world,” Shivambu says, adding that the prospect of studying at the University’s reputable Centre for Human Rights cemented his decision.

Holding a master’s is especially significant for Shivambu: both his parents never received formal education, and he holds the highest qualification in his family. His father passed away when he was young, and his mother played a crucial role in supporting his academic journey.

“My mother, who was a domestic worker, was very influential in my education,” he recalls. “She supported all of us, spending the little money she earned to buy us school uniforms and other educational essentials, and paying for our educational trips. She attended adult education and instilled reading skills in us, and made it a daily routine for us to read her the Bible every evening.”

His unconventional blend of journalism, international relations and human rights law has become a strength in his professional life. His ability to merge these disciplines into his work is what sets him apart. Shivambu believes that being able to reflect the world through stories is key to creating impact.

“The stories I tell every day at UNAIDS have a huge impact on how governments allocate resources to ensure that people living with HIV have access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment, which allows them to live healthy and productive lives,” he says.

He adds that he doesn’t take this impact for granted, and that the immediacy and directness of their work inspires his continued commitment.

“We work with governments who value multilateralism as a solution to saving people’s lives; this includes South Africa, where 5.9 million of the 7.8 million people living with HIV have access to antiretroviral treatment.”

As for what comes next, Shivambu hints that the journey is far from over.

“The closing comments on my master’s research paper from my external supervisor were that I am PhD material. It’s a generational mission to fulfil. Watch this space!”

To young people who hope to work on global platforms, especially those from modest backgrounds, Shivambu offers this advice: “Work extra hard and stick to your passion. It’s only through what you do best that you will have fun and go places, including where you never imagined you could go in the world. You can’t fake passion. It comes naturally.”