In South Africa, 16 June marks Youth Day. A day set aside to honour the young South Africans who fought in the 1976 Soweto Uprising, and to celebrate the youth in the country.
To mark the occasion, we want to introduce our 2024/2025 Youth Leadership Committee (YLC). This year the cohort consists of nine senior youth reporters from Alex FM, Aganang FM, Moutse Community Radio Station, Connect Radio, Emalahleni FM, Vibe FM, Nkqubela FM, Unitra FM and Radio Atlantis.
The YLC makes sure our programs are truly youth-led. They help inform how we design our projects and ensure that they are relevant to their communities. The group also troubleshoots how we roll things out to make sure there’s a seamless transition from drawing board to practice – and eventually to live radio. This group of impassioned young reporters is our first stop for ideas and feedback on Radio Workshop’s curriculum. With that being said, let’s meet the YLC!
Abigail Maedza, Alex FM
“Hi, I’m Abigail! I’m a young reporter who’s passionate about storytelling that’s relatable to the people in my community. I joined the Youth Leadership Committee because it is a platform where I can be a creative with no limitations.”
Ayesha Ralekgetho, Aganang FM
“I’m Ayesha Ralekgetho from Aganang FM and I love learning about radio. That’s why I joined the Youth Leadership Committee. It boosts my knowledge! And networking with different people – that is truly one of the best parts. There are some challenging activities too, but those challenges also increase my knowledge and make me a better presenter.”
Curtis Mkhize, Vibe FM
“I was introduced to Radio Workshop back in 2019 when I started as a youth reporter at Vibe FM. I live with my mom, who has a mental illness so I’m very involved in community work. I’ve shared my journey with mental health and now, as an activist and presenter, I see an opportunity to share knowledge that can bring young people together. I believe being a part of the YLC gives me a chance to grow that.”
Keneilwe Leshilo, Connect Radio
“I’m a passionate supporter of social activity and community development. I joined the Youth Leadership Committee to empower young people and drive positive change. I believe our generation can make a significant impact and I’m dedicated to developing leadership qualities and creating opportunities for youth voices to be heard. Through collaboration, I aim to inspire and support the next generation of leaders to shape a better future.”
Puseletso Tjiane, Moutse Community Radio Station
“Hi, I’m Puseletso, 25, from Klopper in Moutse, West Limpopo. Well, I’m obsessed with storytelling, just being behind the mic honestly! I’m a former young reporter of TswaDaar at Moutse Community Radio Station and a member of the YLC simply because I love being a voice for change. We help support the young reporters with their shows and outreaches and we also help the Radio Workshop modernize our equipment, factsheets and other guides to be more cool yet educative, less boring and super informative for young reporters to use during their activities.”
Sikelela Rollom, Nkqubela FM
“I’m currently pursuing my third year in Media Studies at Nelson Mandela University, I’m driven by my passion for storytelling and amplifying voices in my community. I’m passionate about championing initiatives aimed at empowering young people through media engagement, which is why I joined the YLC. Drawing from my experience as a former youth reporter, I envision myself offering support to current youth reporters by providing show content that resonates with the young audience in our community. I want to be a catalyst for positive change, shaping the narrative and uplifting the voices of the youth.”
Sinovuyo Vumisa, Unitra FM
“My name is Sinovuyo Vumisa and I am a radio presenter at Unitra FM. I joined the Youth Leadership Committee because I think being a part of the committee is going to help with my confidence and with my public speaking.”
Temica Bonn, Radio Atlantis
“This is my second year being part of the Youth Leadership Committee. It’s given me a space to be creative and has allowed me to see how far my creativity can really go. Being part of the YLC helps me be part of the solutions to help other youth radio presenters who face any challenges. It gives me a platform to help youth behind the scenes.”
Tinyiko Mathe, Emalahleni FM
“My name’s Tinyiko. I’m a 20-year-old graduate of the Wits Radio Academy, currently studying business management at ABM College SA. Four years ago, I joined the What’s Up Raise Your Voice team at Emalahleni FM, a life-changing experience that ignited my passion for radio. Being in the YLC offers me the platform to influence decisions, collaborate with like-minded individuals, and play a crucial role in shaping the future. For me, it’s not just about personal growth but also about making a tangible difference through storytelling and community engagement.”