Benjamin, who hosts a daily radio show called ‘Youth Crossfire' on Lotusfm, has received praise and recognition for her work with young people, since she started in radio just three years ago. She hails from Chatsworth in KwaZulu-Natal and is now 23. Seen as a role model, she gives talks countrywide to primary and high school learners, approximately 18 000 per month, focusing on issues facing youth such as sex, drugs, alcohol and relationships.
In 2005 CJ was named one of Cosmopolitan magazine's ‘30 Awesome Women of 2005'. She was named a ‘Visionary in Africa' alongside the likes of Miriam Makeba and Mama Sisulu, having been recognised by the Visionary in Africa foundation for her humanitarian efforts, both on and off-air.
One of her passions is drug awareness. She hosted a 30 week anti-drug campaign on her show when she had drug-free marshalls join her on air to speak about one drug per week, with the aim of educating the nation on the harmful effects of drugs and drug abuse.
Benjamin received the Rotarian Award by Rotary International for her contribution to the upliftment of the community and the youth in South Africa and an award from the KZN Department of Education for her contribution to the matriculation examinations of 2006, when she hosted on-air tuition programmes for grade 12 learners to better equip them for their final examinations.
