Radio show gives awards to young people on 16 June

“Youth Day is very important and we thought it will bring more meaning to young people if we can honour them on this day,” said Nina Callaghan, the assistant director of CRF.

The event was held at IDASA. About 150 people attended. The Department of Basic Education was also represented.

Yolanda Benya (20), who is the ambassador of CRF explained that young people between the ages of 8 and 21 from eight of the country’s provinces gathered to celebrate 16 June in style by being honoured as young reporters. The event was organised to acknowledge reporters who run radio shows from different radio stations.

The best feature show award was given to Lebowokgomo FM from Limpompo. TswaDaar! - Moutse Community Radio, also from Limpopo, won the best project site including a prize of R10,000 donated by UNICEF. Other categories were best jingle, best presenter and best show.

Palesa Mokomela of the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape government said, “This event and June 16 is about acknowledging the struggle of the 1976 youth and that their fight was not in vain. Today the youth have different struggles. We have to acknowledge their talents and gifts and this is what this event is about.”

Joan Legalamitlwa, the director of Young Reporters Network under CRF, explained that they established the Young Reporters Network in 2012. It is supported by UNICEF and the South African Department of Basic Education. It involves 180 youth between the ages of 10 and 18 and is based at twelve community radio stations across the country. The reporters take on issues like health, HIV/AIDS, the environment, and education. They interview their peers and community members, host debates, and broadcast weekly live shows on radio in their local languages.

“Children constitute close to 40% of South Africa’s population, yet their voices are seldom heard. The Young Reporters Network gives children and young people a platform from which their voices can be heard, allowing them to speak on behalf of other youth in South Africa facing similar challenges,” said Ms Legalamitlwa.