Sunday times converse about star child
Children who do great things, need to be recognised and heard. This helps them to become confident and resilient in what they do. That is why Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) awards a GLAD[1] to Sunday Times for its coverage that is child central and extensively accesses the star child.
The article titled, A sublime Lebeko Mosunkutu, the piano, and no-one else (15/09/2024) written by Aspasia Karras reports on a 16 year old Lebeko Mosunkuthu who is a talented pianist. In the article the 16-year-old talks about the love he has when playing a piano. It is said that a recipient of the Charles Greig Rolex scholarship for talented young musicians. The journalist continues to rightfully access the child throughout the article and added his picture.
The story’s central focus is on the excellence of the teenager. He says in the article, “I feel like that’s where I can really best express my emotions. I wouldn’t say I am very verbal, but I know that’s where I can let everything out. Whether it’s stress, anxiety, or when I’m just happy, sometimes I just sit at the piano, just play anything really. I guess it’s more about how I feel.” This align to Section 28.2 of the Bill of Rights[2] which state that “a child’s best interest are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child”
Another important element of celebrating children is expressed through the principle formulated in Article 12.1[3] which states that, “State parties shall assure to the child who is capable of forming his or her own views the rights to express those views freely in all matters affecting the child, the view of the child being given due weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child’’. In this story the teenager is accessed and allowed to express his views on what he has achieved.
MMA encourages journalists to challenge all stereotypes about children, especially the ones that suggest that children are passive members of society.
MMA urges the Sunday Times to continue reporting about children, celebrate their achievements and most importantly access their opinions when it is in their best interest. We hope to read more of these articles in the future.
Written by Msizi Mzolo
Edited by Ntombifuthi Kubeka
[1] GLADs are awarded to media for reporting on children responsibly and for accessing them.
[2] https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-2-bill-rights
[3] https://www.unicef.org/armenia/en/stories/four-principles-convention-rights-child