Khorixas, with an estimated population of 68,735 people, is one of the lest developed parts of Namibia. This town and the neighbouring villages receive no daily newspapers and only intermittent radio coverage from one state-owned station. Khorixas therefore lacks a community platform to discuss development and social issues in a pluralistic, accessible and democratic way and is isolated from regional, national and international affairs.
There have been recurring and unmitigated resource-based conflicts over the years between the region’s diverse communities. In addition, the...
UNESCO field offices: Windhoek
Valley FM is a community-based radio that broadcasts from Worcester, Western Cape, where radio is the most accessible and cost-effective communication medium for the mostly farm-dwelling residents. As of 2013, the station had 121,000 listeners across 28 towns in a region where community issues are marginalized in media coverage by the national broadcaster. Valley FM broadcasts in three languages - Afrikaans (80%), isiXhosa (15%) and English (5%) – and covers local concerns that may not feature in national news, such as domestic violence and teenage pregnancy. The station also has a strong...
On the surface, Swaziland appears to have all the necessary ingredients for media development. The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, the press and other media, while the Information and Media Policy requires the media to eradicate information poverty and reduce community isolation by providing a platform for social interaction and public participation. There is a voluntary regulatory body to protect citizens’ interests and media practitioners are represented by two professional associations and by the Swaziland Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa.
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Community reporting has never been a priority in Lesotho. The media is based in the capital city of Maseru and rural voices are rarely heard. Rural communities only make the news in negative stories or when a government official comes to officiate a development initiative. Given the increase in social and political problems in rural Lesotho, it is becoming more and more critical for rural communities to have an alternative media platform where they can have their voices heard and can discuss their own issues and possible solutions.
Lesotho’s only community radio station,...
Namibia is preparing for general elections in 2014. The ruling Swapo Party congress takes place in November 2012 and will be the official launch pad for party (and individual) election campaigns in preparation for the 2014 ballot. Next year, 2013, is therefore a critical pre-election phase for Namibians. Thus, the quality of the national debate will depend on the capacity of Namibians including the marginalised groups such as the rural women and the youth to engage with the political process. This will be through the envisaged civic awareness campaigns and secondly through a process that...
This project is focused on strengthening science journalism training at all tertiary levels, reaching both undergraduates and mid-career journalists on a post-graduate level. This will aim at training science journalists in South Africa every year and to provide training to students at postgraduate level to follow a course in science & technology journalism at Stellenbosch University. The initiative also builds on efforts by Tshwane University of Technology, Namibian Polytechnic and Makerere University to enhance science journalism reporting, within the framework of UNESCO’s work in...
The Kingdom of Lesotho is a small, landlocked and mountainous country with LDC status in Southern Africa. It is totally surrounded by its only neighbour, South Africa. Currently it has two state-owned radio stations which broadcast countrywide. In addition, there are eight privately-owned stations, three of which are run by church organizations, one by the National University of Lesotho, and the remaining four by commercial broadcasters. Most of these radio stations broadcast in and round Maseru. State television is only accessible via satellite (which must be paid for), and contains a...
This IPDC project proposal seeks support to build the capacity of the community radio sector in Namibia through a practical training, support and mentorship programme that will benefit marginalised communities in Namibia through participatory programme production. Further to UNESCO’s intervention to promote and support the Namibian community radio network and to enhance the capacity of radio practitioners to drive the development agenda, this project will extend the results of the Namibian Community Network Stakeholders Meeting and take forward the findings of the Community Broadcasting...
Since 2008 South Africa has experienced several spates of xenophobic attacks. Tensions between South Africans and foreign nationals living in townships and/or informal settlements are continuing to rise to alarming levels, and the media has gone little way to diffusing the situation. According to Blank and Bucholz’ article published in Research News: Xenophobia in South Africa, xenophobic attacks are fuelled by, amongst other factors, a failure on the part of the media to facilitate peace and harmonious living between the South African locals and the foreign nationals. Instead of...
Community Radio faces many challenges, ranging from unfavourable legislative environments to weak governance and poor sustainability. The advent of community radio was motivated by the empowerment of poor and marginalized communities. Given the relevant role played by community radios in promoting human development, good governance, social justice, empowerment of women and human rights, it is important to promote stronger partnerships, collaboration and harmonization among them. AMARC Africa has identified as a key programme area in the development and capacity building of effective...
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