General Notes

Spokesperson: ANC Women’s League
Air-force pilot and social worker are just two of the professions Troy Martens wanted to follow growing up. But instead this former journalist is breathing life into the ANC Women’s League’s communications machine, helping to amplify the voice of this historic organisation. “The Women’s League is the custodian of the women’s liberation movement in the country and is at the forefront of shaping policy relating to women.” Martens says she became “politically aware” while studying journalism at the Durban University of Technology, where she contested the student representative council elections and became the first and only white member and its deputy president. Today, 26-year-old Martens continues to serve the public by “educating men and women about their rights and responsibilities with regard to women’s issues”, especially the “astronomically high” rate of violence against women. “The louder the Women’s League gets on these issues the more people will listen and, hopefully, start acting.”

Durban University of Technology
National Diploma, Journalism
2005 – 2007

Activities and Societies: Elected Deputy President of the Student Representative Council for the University.
Troy Martens' Additional Information

Honors and Awards:
2012 – Mail & Guardian’s 200 Influential Young South Africans list 2012. (published June 22nd 2012)
2012 – Selected to serve on the Convocation committee of DUT
2011 – CNN Journalism Fellowship – CNN Headquarter Atlanta
2010 - KZN Vodacom Journalist of the Year: TV General News
2007 – DUT: Student Representative Council: Elected Deputy President of the University.
2007 - DUT Journalism: Best Research
2007 – DUT Journalism: Best Work Integrated Learning
2005 – DUT Faculty of Arts: Top Achievers list