Radio Workshop

One month to go until World Radio Day and we’ve been named an official UNESCO partner! This year’s World Radio Day theme is Radio and Climate Change. Over the past 15 years, Radio Workshop youth reporters from South Africa, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and the Ivory Coast have used radio to kickstart conversations and spark action about climate change in their communities.   We put together a webpage full of free resources for radio broadcasters and podcasters to use as inspiration for creating content on climate. In the lead-up to World Radio Day, we’ll share these resources across our social media platforms. In the meantime, everything is available via the webpage linked below, so feel free to share it with your networks. https://lnkd.in/dsQWVvhP

What happens to to a town when mining companies leave? What happens to children suffering lead poisoning as a result of a century of mining? A new podcast by Radio Workshop published today looks at the story of Oliver who was diagnosed with lead poisoning at the age of 2, and who is now 18 years old. He lives in Kabwe, Central Zambia, a city contaminated by a mine. I am excited to see this project come to light, and happy to have been interviewed for it. The podcast is available on youtube, spotify and Apple. #LeadFreeKabwe https://lnkd.in/eszgkYTN

"We have the knowledge, resources, creativity, and, most importantly, each other. But to create lasting change, we must come together, build trust, and support one another. " - Georgia Nicolau As we close out the year, we’re thrilled to share our final newsletter, centered on care, resilience, and well-being. 🌍✨ This edition highlights the inspiring work of our incredible care partners - Instituto Procomum, Social Movement Coaching, Black Girls Rising, The Resilience Project, Radio Savia, SustyVibes —who are transforming the climate movement by fostering communities of care. 💚 Also featured is a new podcast episode by Radio Workshop on the energy transition in Zambia and a contribution by DESMOND Alugnoa from Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) on the power of community to make change! ✨ 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eCg66gps

During Mental Health Awareness Month in October, EMpower partnered with Radio Workshop (RW) to amplify youth voices and spark critical conversations around mental health. This initiative brought together South Africa Youth Fellows and RW youth reporters, collaborating to highlight the mental health challenges faced by young people, especially during the demanding exam season. 🧠 The partnership focused on empowering young people to lead discussions about mental health, offering peer-driven insights and practical coping strategies. RW youth reporters conducted interviews with SA Youth Fellows, sharing relatable stories that resonated deeply with their peers. 🎙️ These impactful interviews were aired on Community Radio Stations, showcasing youth-led conversations that not only raised awareness but also demonstrated young people’s agency in addressing mental health challenges. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our partner, Radio Workshop, for this meaningful collaboration. The voices of young people, amplified through radio, show how we can effectively raise awareness about mental health while fostering youth-driven solutions. ✨ Don’t miss out—follow our series on Instagram to hear these inspiring conversations! 💬

Stories are bridges. They connect us across experiences, generations, and perspectives- reshaping how we see ourselves & the world. Last week, I spent one of my favourite days with the amazing young reporters from Radio Workshop. These storytellers are funny, intelligent, raw, and so incredibly talented. They opened up about what it’s like growing up in South Africa today—from the weight of expectations to their dreams for something better. What stood out the most? Their humour. Even when talking about tough stuff, they had us all laughing and smiling. It was impossible not to feel inspired by their energy. And then there was Mzwandile. Watching him share his advice— “If you’re not your authentic self, the audience knows”—was amazing. You could see it click with them in real-time. It wasn’t just about storytelling; it was about owning who you are and knowing your voice matters. This day wasn’t just inspiring; it was a reminder of how mentorship, connection, and a little laughter can completely shift someone’s perspective. These young people have so much to offer, and I can’t wait to see where their stories take them. Thank you to Vuyo Lutseke! #YouthVoices #Storytelling #Mentorship #RadioWorkshop

I started the year with a post about how a partner visit to Mitchells Plain reinforced why I love the work we do at the Anglo American Foundation. Last week, we were fortunate to end the year with another powerful reminder of my “why” - spending the day with some of the funniest, intelligent and insightful young people from Radio Workshop at the Nandos HO here in Joburg. I’m always inspired and energised when we spend time centering young people in our work. #YouthEmpowerment #YouthAgency #Collaboration

"Chaque jour sans électricité, c’est un avenir compromis." L’éducation, la santé, et l’économie sont paralysées par le manque d’accès à l’électricité. C’est bien plus qu’un luxe : c’est la clé d’un développement durable et équitable. Ensemble, exigeons le changement ! #ÉlectricitéPourTous #JusticeÉnergétique Radio Workshop

Earlier this month, Earthshot Week took place in Cape Town and we were invited to participate! Three young reporters attended alongside the Radio Workshop team: Curtis Mkhize from Phoenix in KwaZulu-Natal, Thembinkosi Mahlangu from Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga and Logan Hansen from Atlantis in the Western Cape. The trio had an opportunity to cover the week’s activities and talk about their work at community radio stations with climate change experts and activists from across the globe. Thembinkosi shared, “A significant moment for me was realising that people everywhere can make a difference in addressing climate change.” To kickstart the week, Executive Director Vuyo Lutseke delivered an ‘Audio Storytelling for Impact’ masterclass for the Earthshot Prize finalists with Melissa Mbugua, head of Radio Workshop’s East Africa Partnerships. The masterclass aimed to help the finalists understand the power of audio, particularly podcasting, and how it can enhance their work. Later, Vuyo and Project Coordinator Mary-Ann Nobele, led a narrative storytelling workshop as part of the Earthshot Prize Youth Programme, with a live radio show demo. Logan, who attended the session to support the team said, “It was a reminder of how radio can amplify voices, bring communities together, and make important topics like climate change accessible and engaging.” This was the first time that Earthshot was hosted in Africa, and it brought together a global community committed to driving climate action and innovative solutions. Congratulations to the Earthshot Prize winners, and thank you to Bloomberg Philanthropies for making our participation possible.

A few weeks ago, Professor Sean Jacobs from the Studley Graduate Programs in International Affairs at The New School took our Media, Culture, and Global Politics class on a field trip to an insightful seminar at The Africa Center in NYC. We participated in a listening session of Radio Workshop's podcast, which explored the complexities of producing audio stories on LGBTQ+ issues in Africa. This experience was deeply impactful, providing insight into the challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community across Africa. In more than 30 African nations, laws criminalize same-sex relationships, and individuals can face imprisonment solely for their sexual orientation. Hearing the personal stories of those affected by these oppressive measures was powerful and emotional. I was particularly impressed by the podcast initiative's efforts to train young radio reporters across 10 African countries to share LGBTQ+ stories. These reporters broadcast on local and national radio stations and produce podcasts while preserving anonymity, a critical protection given the risks involved in revealing identities. This experience underscored the media's vital role in raising awareness and fostering understanding, even under challenging circumstances. #LGBTQ+ #TheAfricaCenter #RadioWorkshop #TheNewSchool

How do we tell our stories for impact? At the The Earthshot Prize 2024, we were thrilled to have the National Geographic Society join us in exploring the power of storytelling to drive change. From film to radio, there are endless ways to tell impactful stories. It is essential to find your spice and amplify your story to create visibility, credibility, and tangible results. Additionally, YouTube’s collaboration with The Earthshot Prize Youth took storytelling to another level! Through the YouTube x Earthshot Youth workshop, we delved into YouTube Shorts as a powerful tool for short-form content. Check out our creation here: https://lnkd.in/dHu89Yhu Consequently, we explored the transformative power of radio in a Masterclass Radio Workshop. Radio reaches the heart of communities, making it vital to use it in creating awareness and sparking action to address local challenges. So, how are you using your voice to make a difference? The Earthshot Prize Common Purpose A'aron John Wanjira Mathai Augustine Okoth Deloitte Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) 'Tokunboh Ishmael, CFA Elsbeth Dixon Co-Axis Ninety One MultiChoice Group YouTube National Geographic Society Mogamat Shamier Magmoet Oluwaseyi Jesuton Vanessa Nakate Thato Rampedi Shiv Sewlal Radio Workshop #EarthshotCapeTown #EarthshotPrize #CommonPurpose