The Star celebrates young South Africans
It is important that we celebrate young people that are taking up space so that they can be motivated to do more incredible activities within their rights. Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) awards a GLAD[1] to The Star for their inspiring article, taking interest in young South Africans that participated in a festival in Paris for the Olympics grand opening. The article titled “Organisation brimming with pride as young talents raise the SA flag high in France” (02/08/2024), written by Anita Nkonki .
The story celebrates the young talents from Afrika Tikkun, a non-profit organisation that provides education, health, and social services to disadvantaged communities in SA, that took part in vibrant cultural performances, showcasing the country’s rich and diverse heritage, to foster understanding and unity among people from different cultures and continents. The journalist continues to rightfully access the children and uses vivid appropriate pictures of them.
The story’s central focus is on the excellence of the teenagers and the non-profit organization Afrika Tikkun which helped them to develop into excelling teenagers, and this aligns to Section 28.2 of the Bill of Rights[2] which states that “a child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child”. In the article the journalist continues to highlight their participation in workshops promoting respect, friendship, and equality; and participants engaging in an educational and cultural exchange programme.
Another crucial dimension of celebrating children is expressed through the principle formulated in Article 12:1 [3]which states that, “States 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 children are accessed and are allowed to express their views on what they have achieved. This is great improvement of journalistic practice considering how children’s voices are the least accessed in the media alongside women.
Madiga, who joined Afrika Tikkun in 2010, said: “I joined Afrika Tikkun as part of their Bambanani Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme and am now in Grade 11. During my 14 years with Afrika Tikkun, I have earned two awards: the legitimate leadership award and the Duke of Edinburgh’s international award. I am highly motivated, hard-working, and passionate, and I know how to get things done.”
MMA is dedicated to advancing children’s rights in the media and goes above and beyond to make sure that children’s stories are presented with delicacy and respect. Through programs like Webrangers[4], MMA empowers young people to navigate the online world safely while also advocating for responsible digital citizenship. Additionally, through research, advocacy, and capacity building, MMA empowers journalists to accurately and ethically report on children’s issues, fostering a media landscape that prioritises the well-being and rights of young individuals.
MMA looks forward to The Star‘s ongoing dedication to considerate and ethical reporting, ensuring children’s voices are acknowledged and their rights upheld in every article that focuses upon their experiences and ambitions.
Written by Siphokazi Pikoko
Edited by Ntombifuthi Kubeka
[1] GLADs are awarded to the media for great journalistic practice on matters concerning children
[2] https://www.gov.za/documents/constitution/chapter-2-bill-rights
[3] https://www.unicef.org/armenia/en/stories/four-principles-convention-rights-child