BLANTYRE, Malawi — For a second consecutive year, Blantyre-based private station Capital FM hosted a Children’s Day of Broadcast. This year the May event focused on the environment and climate change.
The radio station launched its Children’s Day last year, which is based on UNICEF’s initiative introduced in 1991 to encourage broadcasters to create awareness of children’s issues.
The station’s Head of Programming, Theodora Chapeta (aka Miss Theo), explained that this year’s event was a shift from the inaugural program, which focused on kids’ creativity.
Capital Radio Breakfast show presenter Panther Rix prepares eight-year-old Lungile Kamowa to start presenting sports program.
Photo Credits: Lameck Masina
Head of Presenters Theodora Chapeta prepares the kids for the program. Pictured from left are Ali Latif, Tina Stambuli, Shakinah Kadumbo and Tonia Chipeta.
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“This year we mostly focused on the environment and how we can serve it, because there are lots of kids who are doing cool good things in their schools, like planting trees. So we thought ‘Why not talk about issues everybody is concerned about these days?,’” she said.
During the various two-hour programs aired between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., a total of 20 kids from 7 to 10 years old talked about the effects of climate change and how and why it is necessary to respect and preserve the environment.
Ten-year old Shekinah Kadumbo said environment degradation would likely pose great danger not only to people’s health but also to animals, as well having a “negative impact on national development.”
There were a few light moments as well. The event also provided the opportunity to discover future talents in broadcasting. One example was eight-year-old Lungile Kamowa, who discerningly presented a sports program alongside the Breakfast show co-host, Panther Rix.
Breakfast show presenter Panther Rix gets set for discussion with the kids.
Capital Radio’s Breakfast Show Presenters Nicole Kamwendo and Panther Rix hosting the kids.
“There were some inspiring and great moments during the show,” said Rix. “We can safely say that we might have a few sports journalists in the making.”
Another 10- year-old girl, Tonia Chipeta, got the audience glued to the radio thanks to her news reading skills.
Head teacher for St. Patricks International primary school, Dawn Mineard, who accompanied her students, said its high time radio stations focus more on children-oriented programs.
“This is great opportunity for kids to discover their hidden potential and develop career choices, like in public speaking or radio presentation.” She urges other radio stations to introduce these types of programs.
Program organizers said a follow up edition of Children’s Day of Broadcast is slated to take place in September.
Lameck Masina reports on the industry for Radio World from Blantyre, Malawi.
