June 2024 - Jive Media Africa

New Narratives – Nurturing the next generation of environmental journalists

The future is not what it used to be. As a species and as a planet we are on an unsustainable path – and the direction ahead is not too clear either.

At Jive Media Africa, we’re passionate about solutions. But we also know that the really tough problems seldom come with solutions attached; or they wouldn’t be problems.

In fact, there’s a class of problems which seem to resist solution. These kinds of problems may never be fully resolvable because they involve complex dynamics, paradoxes and competing values. Attempting to solve any one part of the problem is likely to cause further unanticipated problems.

Such challenges have been collectively referred to as ‘wicked problems’. And many environmental challenges fit into this category.

Take wildlife crime for instance – a wicked problem due to its complex and interconnected nature; Ecologically, it threatens biodiversity and ecosystems. Socioeconomically, it perpetuates poverty undermining lives and livelihoods. Perpetrated by international networks and organised crime, it spans borders, posing challenges for law enforcement. Inconsistent laws and loopholes hinder legal responses.

With such complexity, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But just because a problem resists a solution, it doesn’t mean attempts shouldn’t be made to manage it.

As Albert Einstein famously stated: “The significant challenges we face, cannot be solved with the same kind of thinking that created them”. That’s why Jive Media Africa has teamed up with journalism training organisation Roving Reporters to pioneer a new framework for getting to grips with complex problems.

We need new perspectives and new approaches that shed light on the specifics of problems in their own context. Such new perspectives emerge from dialogic spaces, which bring together the best of science and creativity – and the Khetha 2024 Story Project provides just that. The Khetha ‘tripod’ approach arose from monthly coverage of the Tipping Points series by emerging environmental writers undergoing training with support from Roving Reporters and Jive Media Africa. Find out more here.

The Jive – Roving Reporters collaboration is centred around a webinar series entitled “Tipping points” by Jive and a parallel journalism training programme ‘New Narratives’ by Roving Reporters. In the webinars, a range of ‘experts’ join with public audiences to explore a particular topic. These webinars are then reported on by young journalists and early career researchers, who are mentored through the creative approaches that are needed to tell powerful stories for public audiences.

This innovative programme, currently supported by WWF-SA and Oppenheimer Generations Research and Conservation, creates a platform for discussion and debate, and equips young young journalists and early-career scientists to delve into the complexities of topics from wildlife crime, to biodiversity conservation.

The multifaceted approach of the Khetha 2024 Story Project involving webinars, online training, and story grants, represents an effective training model to enhance media reporting on wildlife crime and conservation challenges in the Greater Kruger.

The establishment of the Khetha New Narratives ’24 reporting teams, comprising 18 emerging environmental writers, has also proven pivotal to the success of this training model. By providing training in feature writing and radio documentary production, participants in the programme are being guided from concept to final public dissemination, ensuring their stories highlight crucial human and wildlife interactions in ways often overlooked by mainstream media.

One participant of the programme said: “I come away from these programmes feeling even more empowered to use my writing to effect positive change. Whether it’s raising awareness about the social factors driving wildlife crime or showcasing the efforts of frontline communities, I’m confident my voice can make a difference.”

For those directly involved in conservation themselves, the structure allows for dialogue and reflection, and for raising awareness and understanding of critical, yet often complex issues –driving positive change in conservation efforts across southern Africa’s protected areas.

At Jive Media Africa we’re comfortable with complexity, and passionate about approaches to develop capacity to find the best paths forward.

June 18, 2024/by Jan

Public Engagement

Rhythms of Change: How hip hop and science unite to empower youth

While seemingly separate and distinct, music and science have more in common than first meets the eye (or ear!). They share deep connections in creativity, curiosity and expression – and for young people in South Africa today, these connections provide a beacon of hope amidst the multiple challenges they face.

Music, with its rhythms, melodies, harmonies and lyrics, is a powerful tool for engaging with young people around complex topics that affect their health and well-being. When young people collaborate to create music and songs relevant to their lives, they tap into a transforming source of energy and inspiration that propels them forward.

It is this truth that we have drawn upon at Jive Media Africa with one of our standout initiatives, the Hip Hop U programme. This innovative intervention creates a space for adolescents to take charge of mini-research projects, together with young black male and female researchers, who act as role-models and knowledge specialists. Through this hands-on experience, they learn new ways to see and investigate their reality – whether the topic is mental health, HIV prevention or the impact of water-related diseases in their communities, to name a few.

To share their learnings and to amplify their voices, participants are then invited to express their discoveries and insights by creating and performing hip hop and rap songs. Their powerful messages are shared across social media, community radio stations and even on national television, reaching wide audiences and sparking important conversations.

Why did we specifically choose hip hop? Artists in this field usually make observations about challenging issues within their environments aiming to inspire change. Great examples include Black Eyed Peas, Common, Lauryn Hill, and 2Pac. This is the key component of the intervention. Learners are encouraged to communicate in the language they are most comfortable with. By allowing young people to create in a language and medium that is familiar to them, the power shifts away from the knowledge specialists (usually scientists or researchers), towards the young people who develop new contextual knowledge that has relevance and meaning in their lives.

The intervention can be applied across a range of pressing social issues. For example, in one instance, in consultation with public health experts, the overarching theme of water and health was selected due to its pertinence to the target communities, as well as being a public health topic around which participants could have a level of influence. But in other cases, it’s been applied around the mental health issues related to students starting at a university, and as a harm prevention strategy for those living with high risks of TB and HIV.

This project exemplifies our passion and commitment towards innovative, youth-driven processes that bridge the gap between science and society and allow for connection, co-creation and creativity – towards a brighter future for all.

June 18, 2024/by Jan

Public Engagement

Get your science on: Science Spaza lights up youthful curiosity and collaboration

Imagine a community where kids can create cool science projects with easily accessible materials. Or maybe find a passion for growing food after nurturing their first seed?

This has been our vision for Science Spaza since its inception in 2013, to create a community of inquisitive pupils who want to explore the world in an engaging and safe environment. And hopefully spark a passion for being part of the solution to the challenges we face.

But, in a country where 20,000 schools have no science labs, where are young people supposed to find the support they need for discovery based learning?

The Science Spaza initiative, developed by Jive Media Africa, provides information and learning opportunities in an easily accessible form, through the medium of hands-on activities and information contained in comics. The activities are designed for low-resource settings and include step-by-step instructions with photographs.

Comics provide a powerful tool for bringing audiences into closer engagement with complex subject matter. They also allow for projection and identification. Young people see themselves represented in the comics, building a sense of inclusion and harnessing their natural drive to be part of something bigger than themselves.

With a smashing 10,000 newspapers printed every three months for 100 science clubs across the country, Science Spaza aims to make science accessible and exciting by encouraging students to physically participate in experiments and projects and to share their discoveries and learnings within the clubs network.

A former science club member from a decade ago, Goratileone Oepeng, is now a proud success story. Recently featured in our latest edition, he reminisced about founding a science club which he registered with Science Spaza. Goratileone is currently working on his master’s degree in entomology at the University of Pretoria and highlighting the critical role that bees play in maintaining the health of biodiversity on which we all depend.

Stories like Oepeng’s have given us a deeper understanding and appreciation of just how much can be achieved when young passionate individuals are provided with the support they need to navigate.

As Jive Director Prof Albert Thembinkosi Modi eloquently states, “Growing up, I had no hope of being a scientist. My rural school did not have the facilities, but I managed to succeed and become a professor of science. I am proud to say that through Science Spaza, many young people, technicians, teachers, and professors can interact. This enhances career choices, regardless of a person’s background. Science Spaza makes science-oriented community engagement fun and easy for everyone.”

June 15, 2024/by Jan

Comics

Empowering Adolescent Girls: The Ntshembo Project

To spark healthier lives among adolescent girls aged 14 to 19 in Gauteng, Jive Media Africa was commissioned by Wits Health Consortium to produce creative media around the Ntshembo project.

Spearheaded by Prof. Shane Norris from the DPHRU – MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit, this initiative aimed to uplift communities through targeted interventions and innovative approaches to give girls in low-resource communities access to healthcare services.

The project, initiated on 13 March 2023, delivered a comprehensive set of resources designed to engage and educate its target audience. At its core are 12 pages of meticulously crafted comic art, split into six modules, each addressing key aspects of adolescent health and well-being.

The Jive team ensured that the storyline and narrative encapsulated the essence of each module, fostering relatability and resonance among the audience. Moreover, the design concept is thoughtfully crafted to create a visually captivating experience.

One of the project’s highlights is its commitment to inclusivity. Recognising the diversity of its audience, the materials are edited to accommodate translations into additional languages, ensuring accessibility for all. With a focus on user feedback, the team conducted thorough testing among focus groups, allowing for iterative improvements and refinements before we finalised the illustrations.

By using Jive’s creative storytelling and visual communication in conjunction with Prof Norris’ research, the project made a tangible impact within the community, empowering adolescent girls and caregivers to prioritise their health and well-being.

June 15, 2024/by Jan

Animations, Media & Film

Lwazi Uyazi: Jive Media Africa and AHRI’s ‘MythBusters’ Initiative

When people panic – the first casualty is often rationality. Just at a time when we need access to reliable trustworthy information, rumours and conspiracy theories start to fly, and it’s hard to know what’s what.

Enter the ‘AHRI MythBusters’ initiative—a bold response to an extreme crisis. COVID-19 had just hit, and the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) teamed up with Jive Media Africa to address misinformation and fears surrounding the virus in KwaZulu-Natal.

Phase one kicked off with a deep dive into people’s existing beliefs, laying the groundwork for the birth of Lwazi, a character designed to resonate with local audiences and embody the ‘Lwazi Uyazi’ (Lwazi Knows) mantra. Lwazi wasn’t just a character; he became a beacon of healthy choices, guiding the way through the fog of uncertainty.

With short, captivating video clips, delivered via mobile device, Lwazi set out to debunk myths and dispel the clouds of misinformation surrounding COVID-19. Lwazi’s journey through the overwhelming virus-related concerns provided a rallying point for audiences, fostering understanding and unity in the face of adversity.

As the campaign gained momentum, phase two shifted focus to empower with vital knowledge about vaccination and mental health care. The goal? To equip individuals with the tools to make informed decisions, building resilience against the pandemic.

To ensure maximum impact we created engaging material ranging from lively animations to eye-catching posters, with seven video episodes available in Zulu and English. This diverse array of communication tools ensured accessibility and captivated audiences across all walks of life.

At Jive, we’ve long championed the power of multi-media communications to reach our audiences. But involving audiences in the co-creation of these materials, together with innovative approaches like comics and cartoons which transcend language and cultural barriers, takes them to a whole new level of impact.

June 15, 2024/by Jan

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