THE WAY FORWARD>>>>>>

We have got only two Fridays left with our community partners, the uMthathi Community Project. It has been a rough but controllable ride. As a team (students, uMthathi and Radio Grahamstown) we have managed to form a good relationship and we have improved a lot communication wise. Even though we have improved a lot, I think this is still one amongst the important things that Thenjiwe and Xoliswa have to master when me, Alex and Chris step back. In every partnership communication is the main important thing; this is what holds the relationship together. For now I think we have managed to create a bond between Radio Grahamstown and uMthathi, I think we have done a great job as facilitators in this whole process.

I think the fact that we went home for two weeks (April vacation) helped build a good relationship between these two organisations. I say this because I see that Thenjiwe and Xoliswa’s interaction has changed. I can tell that they understand each other better now.

Looking back, what we have done so far: we have produced a running order for the Masakhane feature on the Masabelane show. With that said, I have noticed that at first they used the running order quite strictly but now they kind of do things their own way (presenters). For instance, according to the running order they are supposed to play one song but they play two songs now. I think we need to have a conversation with Thenjiwe and remind her to stick to the running order. This running order is important because this is what we (uMthathi and students) agreed on and Thenjiwe also did not have a problem with it. I therefore do not see why this should change. In terms of the sting and the jingle for the show; we should remind Thenjiwe to also play it outside of the Masakhane slot. I think this has a potential of drawing more listeners to listen to the show.

We have also managed to create a poster to advertise the show. This is important because people will be able to see at what time the show airs, and what the show is all about. I think what we need to emphasise on before we let go is the importance of communication. They must communicate with each other at least two times a week, in terms of confirming studio guests and the topic to be discussed in the show. Since we created an advert and we are working on the PSAs, I think we need to talk to Thenjiwe about this, and ask her- as acting station manager- to ask presenters from other shows to also play these in their own shows.

As student facilitators before we leave, I think we need to sit down with both Thenjiwe and Xoliswa and talk about different things that they need to do. Things like updating each other at least two times a week. They need to make sure that the sting and the jingle are played in the show. Make sure the PSAs and the adverts are played at Radio Grahamstown, not only in the show but by other presenters as well. UMthathi must also make other plans to advertise for the show, even if it means putting posters around town because we have created a poster for the project. Like I said communication is key, they need to increase their communication level, especially now that we will not be there as mediators.

For the whole semester we have been struggling to get facilitators to come into the studio, this is very bad because listeners hear the same people every Friday. It would be nice to have the facilitators’ voices. Yes, two weeks back we managed to have Lakhanya, the facilitator as a studio guest but this was made possible by the fact that she was on maternity leave. If it was not for this, she would have not been able to come. Xolela (a few weeks back) and Zolani (this week) also managed to come because it was a public holiday otherwise they would not have been able to come. I’m aware that facilitators have tight schedules but I think this is important too because it is going to benefit the project at the end of the day.

I think they must make time to come to the studio. I see this as something that Xoliswa and the uMthathi people have to try and achieve because we did not, even though we wanted to. For instance last Friday facilitators were supposed to come to the show, we planned this three weeks ago because we noticed that that is the only week they would not be going out. Unfortunately last Friday Xoliswa told us that facilitators couldn’t come because they had to attend somewhere. The only new person who came was Zolani; he is also one of the facilitators, and likewise it was great to have a different guest to talk about his experience.

 It would also be nice if they can find community members who have benefited from the project. This is the second thing that they need to work on. During our regular meetings we (students) have asked them several times to organize people from the community to come to the show but they have not managed to get anyone thus far. I think this is a challenge that they have to overcome. I am sure they know people who have benefited from this project.

At the end we are going to put everything that we have created, that is, Adverts, jingles, stings, PSAs, How-to’s and the recorded shows in one CD and give it to the uMthathi community project so that they can play it for other people and they can also give it to their sponsors. For this week we are going to meet with the uMthathi people and let them know that we are going to take a back sit now and let them drive. They must call Thenjiwe and tell her about the show topic and studio guests.

During the last week of term, we are going to have a debriefing session and for this session I was thinking of asking the uMthathi people to comment on things like, what is it that they have learnt from us? Do they feel we played a role while involved in the project? What are the things that they need the next group to improve on? What is it that they feel we did not do? As students we can also use this time to talk about different things that they can do to make better the show. Like some of the things I have mentioned above. We can use the same time to give them the CDs and the pamphlets.

Ciao!!