As the Rhodes students involved in this project, Chris, Alex and I wanted both uMthathi and Radio Grahamstown to engage in the plan and decision making processes because we want to do something that they are also going to like. We (students) suggested to the Umthathi team members that we want to establish an image and identity for the show by creating jingles and stings. This we have done in our daily meetings with the uMthathi people. Together we (students and uMthathi) talked about how long each of these should be and agreed on the length of each.
After deliberations we then passed what we finalised in the meeting to Thenjiwe, that is, we presented her with the finalised running order that we (students and uMthathi) came up with. It was important for us to sit down and talk to her about this because she is the one who anchors the show. We also wanted Mandisa, the one who co-hosts the Masabelane show with Thenjiwe to be there but unfortunately she had to go somewhere. It would have been very nice to meet with both of them so that when one of them is absent the one available will know what to do. However this is not a problem because Thenjiwe promised to “fill her in”. Even though communication can still be improved I am glad to say that things are finally starting to take shape.
In terms of participation and working together as a team; so far I think we have got that covered. We have discussed how we want the show to start, what is going to happen in the middle of the show, when is the anchor going to open for callers and how we are going to end the show. We (students) discussed this with Xoliswa and Sicelo and they also contributed as they suggested the times, in terms of how long they want studio discussions to be. In the meeting we also took time to apologise about last week’s flaws and promised to get things right this time. And we (as a team) did.
For last Friday we still used the jingle that was created by last years’ group, but we are now in the process of creating a new one. For the voices in the jingle we are planning to ask people from uMthathi to record some parts. We would like to do this in order to engage with them, to show them that we are a team working together to achieve a common goal – that is, to raise awareness and educate the public about gardening and “food security” in general.
Last week Chris, Alex and I asked Xoliswa and Sicelo to please come to the show with a person who has benefited from the project. We wanted a voice of a person who is not from uMthathi but who has been helped by the project. Xoliswa then told us that Mr Platyi, who is also a presenter in Radio Grahamstown has agreed to come and be the guest in the show. However Mr Platyi did not come for the show. Xoliswa assumed that maybe he completely forgot about the show even though she said she reminded him the day before. This however did not affect the show, but we would still like to have a person from the community to come and be the guest in the show.
I also think it would be a good idea to ask callers to comment on the show by sending SMSs even after the show. Open a Facebook group where people can post their comments and questions way before the show so that we can send these to the uMthathi people a day before the show. Thenjiwe also tried to raise this issue during the show on Friday. She asked callers to send their questions beforehand so that the guests from uMthathi can give answers to their questions. I think we need to emphasise this because I think it would make a difference in terms of the content of the show. I think we should also start thinking around making promos for the show, and these can be played during the course of the week by different station presenters. This would mean that we will have to talk to the presenters or ask Thenjiwe, as an acting station manager to help us with this. Maybe we can also put up a notice in the studio. We (students) can also create posters and ask the people from uMthathi to put them up in the township. This would mean that we have to make sure that the Friday shows are well-structured because a lot of people will be listening.
On a separate matter, we have already spoken to Xoliswa about us going home for the holidays but that we would like uMthathi training Project and Radio Grahamstown to keep the relationship going, and to continue doing the shows. Judging from her response, “Hayi siza kuziqhuba ungakhathazeki” (No do not worry we are going to continue) she is okay with this and she is happy to continue without us being there. What I think we must do next is to organise a meeting where we will meet with both of them (Thenjiwe and Xoliswa) and discuss what they are going to be talking about in the shows while we are not around.
Otherwise so far, I am happy about the way things are going. Everything is starting to make sense. Yes, I can see the light!!!
