Statement by Cameron Dugmore, MEC for Education in the Western Cape

Western Cape Education MEC Cameron Dugmore will tomorrow (Saturday 16 June 2007), 10h00 hand over certificates to 18 young learners who have participated in a broadcasting training programme over a six-week period with the radio station 94.5 Kfm, in a joint venture underwritten by the Provincial Youth Commission.

June 16 is the day when South Africans salute the youth in South Africa, and honor them for the significant role they played in bringing our country to democracy.

The Western Cape Provincial Government's Home for All vision underlines the importance of the youth in our society by stating that "Youth hold the key to the future and should form the focus of public sector investment and developmental action."

Tomorrow on 16 June, 94.5 Kfm hands the entire station over to Grade 11 and 12 learners. Guided by Kfm presenters and staff, learners will "run the station" for the day, occupying all key positions on air.

Teaming the cream of the Cape's young talent up with the radio station's broadcasting professionals in Cape Town is likely to result in a day of high emotion and extremely positive energy.

Earlier the radio station and the Premier of the Western Cape, Mr Ebrahim Rasool welcomed almost 300 learners at the Kfm studios for the auditioning process and workshops.

The 18 chosen learners followed a strict training programme over six weeks, and will tomorrow act as presenters, news- and sport commentators and producers, from 6am to 6pm.

Premier Ebrahim Rasool has identified drug abuse, prostitution and gangsterism as some of the issues affecting our youth. In his State of the Province Address, he said: "We must send out a message of our commitment to tackling drugs and gangs in the Western Cape.

"This does not absolve parents and other caregivers of their responsibility in preventing members of gangs and the use of substances, even cigarettes, but also alcohol, amongst the youth.

"Young people should therefor be granted a medium of communication that ensures their views are adequately represented where they can celebrate the achievements of our nation."

Kfm's station manger Colleen Louw said the aim was to initiate some of the Western Cape's youth in all aspects of radio, including music, news, production, marketing and public relations.

Louw said that through the Youth Day Experience, Kfm hoped to show the youth of the Western Cape who live in communities troubled by gangsterism, crime and violence that there are options available to them.

"We want to show the youth that there are opportunities out there which could help them rise above the circumstances that many of them find themselves in and to reach for their dreams," she said.

It is also envisaged that these trained learners will be placed at community radio stations around the Province for possible internships in order to sustain this project beyond just one day.

* For more info on Provincial Government Western Cape projects and services simply call 0860 142 142, log onto www.capegateway.gov.za, email questions@capegateway.gov.za or visit us at 142 Long Street, Cape Gateway Building, Cape Town.

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938, or gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za.

Visit our website: http://wced.wcape.gov.za

The Western Cape - A Home for All
INtshona Koloni - iKhaya loMntu wonke
Die Wes-Kaap - 'n Tuiste vir Almal