Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Khayelitsha students fire up on air
Jbjsaturday
A KHAYELITSHA high school has it own radio station which recently went live with pupils telling their own stories in their own way.
The Centre of Science and Technology high school launched its radio station with the help of NGO Children’s Radio Foundation.
The new radio station focuses on youngsters and their interests.
The shows are produced and hosted by 11 young reporters who rotate roles of producer, host, presenters and reporters.
The foundation trains young reporters in Africa, giving them the skills to make their voices heard, ignite important conversations and build their confidence.
It has started 72 projects in six countries, including Liberia, Ivory Coast, DRC and Zambia training youngsters to use radio as a tool for dialogue and change. They have trained 1 700 young reporters through various projects which reach seven million listeners each week.
Youngster are encouraged to work with mentors in their communities to create well-informed radio programmes which are broadcast on local stations. In the process they enhance their communication, critical thinking and problem solving capabilities.
The broadcast team at Cosat has been testing the airwaves for a few months and reporters are taking on issues that resonate with their peers which include HIV and Aids, the environment and current issues.
They had a mock demonstration of a radio show at the radio booth for their parents before they went live at the beginning of the month.
Many of the parents were impressed and said they had not realised what their children were doing in their weekly workshops. They were proud and encouraged their children’s curiosity about the world.
Principal of Cosat high school, Phadila Cooper, and parents lauded the pupils for their professionalism.
Cooper said the idea for the radio station came after a group of students participated in a documentary called Makhulu last year. And with the help of the Foundation they were able to make the radio station a reality.
Cooper said the station also afforded the pupils the opportunity to speak about issues they would not be able to talk about without fear or stigma.
She said parents did not realise the importance of the content discussed on the shows until they heard the live broadcast. “I like the initiative... pupils are involved in thought-provoking discussions on air.”
At the moment the station is only available at the school. But the foundation is hoping to get a channel to broadcast live shows for schools in the Western Cape.
Grade 11 pupil Jabulile Thwala was a presenter the day the station did their live broadcast.
He said he enjoyed radio because it gave him journalism skills and helped his confidence.
He said he had been shy before he started training. “I’m happy and my self-esteem has grown.”
He said it also kept him out of mischief.
Another Grade 11 pupil, Kuhle Speelman who is involved in the project, said radio “makes learning fun”.
She said they took serious issues and topics and presented them to other students on an “exciting platform”.
Speelman said she planned to studying journalism after matric because she enjoyed engaging with people and community members about things that matter to them.