DispatchLIVE receives a GLAD[1] from Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) for an article that celebrates two talented siblings who are emerging stars.

The article titled, “Young EL siblings set for New York ramp and stage” (14/05/2022) is written by Anelisa Gusha and is about two siblings from East London in the Eastern Cape  who are jetting off to New York in July to take part in the International Modelling and Talent Agency Competition (IMTA). Lamikhaya and Limile Mahlangeni are aged 13 and nine respectively.

The article is accompanied by a bright picture of the two siblings smiling.

Speaking to the journalist, 13-year-old Lamikhaya says, “It feels amazing and I’m a little scared, but it’s an exciting sensation.”

Nine-year-old Lamile is also quoted in the article saying, “My teacher heard my radio interview and was overjoyed for me, everyone is proud of me. We auditioned for modelling and in New York we will get a chance to do other things like acting and so on.”

Interviewing children when reporting on activities that the children are involved in is very important because it offers the children an opportunity to express and share their experiences in their own voices. This has the potential to inspire other children to take up and actively participate in activities, hobbies or career paths of their choosing.

This type of reporting is in line with MMA’s Editorial Guidelines and Principles for Reporting on Children in the Media which state, “Children have a right to have their views heard on matters that affect them, so the media should try and include them.”[2]  

Well done to Anelisa Gusha and DispatchLIVE! MMA encourages you to continue shining a spotlight on and giving a voice to children who are excelling or are active agents and, to portray them as such.

Written by Ntsako Manganyi

Edited by Lister Namumba

[1] A GLAD is awarded to media for reporting about children in a positive way

[2] http://54.217.43.239/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mma_editorial_guideline.pdf