CAADP JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS

CAADP JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS

 

Durban International Convention Centre

20 March 2014

 

AWARD WINNERS

Two overall winners in the news articles & stories category

Idrissa Konditamdé from Burkina Faso - “Le zaï ou comment récolter deux tonnes à l’hectare sur un sol aride”

Idrissa was born in 1982, in the South of Burkina Faso.  He is a qualified journalist from the University of Ouagadougou. He has been the Director General of AGRI-TIC, an information platform for agriculture since 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

Idrissa receiving his award from Mrs Estherine Fotabong (NEPAD Director of Programmes)

 

Sitembile Siwawa from Zambia - “Female Farmers Empowerment Vital”

Sitembile Siwawa is  25 year old  journalist at the Zambia Daily Mail.  She has a diploma in Journalism and Public Relations.  

 

She specialises in gender related issues but also writes for other desks.

 

Sithembile receiving her award from Mrs Estherine Fotabong

 

Winner in the video, documentary and television category

Ibrahima Diallo , from Senegal “La Salinsation des Terres en Casamance”

[Ibrahima received his award in absentia]

Ibrahima is a national television journalist from Senegal, whose winning entry on salinasation is clear, focussed and well researched.  He works for RTS, the Senegalese National Television.  

 

Winner in the Radio and audio broadcasts category broadcast category

Richard Katami Bwayo from Uganda - “The Importance of Bio-gas in Promoting Sustainable Land Management”

Richard travelled about one hundred and fifty kilometers east of Kampala in the district of Kamuli where local farmers have formed a group known as Balimi Network for Development Enterprises in Rural Agriculture (BANDERA 2000) with the purpose to use the best practices for sustainable land management for his incredible winning entry.

 

Richard Bwayo with Mrs Fotabong

Honourable mention

The most hard working Journalist in the CAADP Journalists Network

Grace Musimami giving speech with his award

Mr Grace Musimami has been a committed reporter on CAADP for the last number of years, since about 2008.  He has closely reported CAADP related events in Uganda.  He has consistently submitted numerous media pieces on CAADP, many targeted towards enabling attainment of the various CAADP goals. Grace runs a network of agriculture journalists in his region.

 

Runners - up

Two runners-up in the News articles category

Doreen Nawa from Zambia - “ICTs: helping farmers make most of produce”

Doreen was born in Eastern Zambia, and has been pursuing journalism since 2003. Currently, she manages social media news contents for the Zambia Daily Mail. Before taking up the Online Journalist position a year ago, Doreen worked on the Features desk as a writer since 2008 when she joined Zambia Daily Mail as a Reporter.

 

Doreen Nawa receiving her award from Dr Abebe Haile Gabriel- Director, Department of Rural Economy & Agriculture- AUC

 

Seydou Prosper Sadio, from Senegal “Une centaine de variétés d’arachides en cours d’expérimentation dans les stations de l’Isra” [Seydou received his award in absentia]

Seydou from Dakar, Senegal, works as a journalist at the Daily paper called Le Soleil or the Daily Sun in English. His winning entry is on agricultural research in farming groundnuts.

Seydou’s winning entry

 

Runner-up in the Radio and audio broadcasts category

Ngala Chimtom from Cameroon, “Farmers coping with water shortage in Cameroon” [Ngala also received his award in absentia]

Ngala provided an exceptional piece on farmers cope with water shortages in Cameroon.  Although extremely moving, his broadcast showcases the resilience of the typical African farmer.

 

 

 

Runner-up in the Video, documentary and television broadcast category

Adelaide Arthur from Ghana - “Post-harvest losses”

Adelaide has been practicing journalism for the past five after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institution of Journalism. She currently reports for JoyNews on Multi TV in Ghana. She has been focusing on agriculture reporting since 2012.

Adelaide Arthur  receiving her award from Dr Abebe Haile Gabriel

 

 

 

~Congratulations to all the winners~

Africa summit to benefit Zambia's women

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba says the 3rd African Women's Economic Summit which Zambia will host in July this year will inspire change for Zambian women.

The summit scheduled for July 24 to July 26 in Lusaka is the first to be held in southern Africa.

The summit, under the theme: "African Women Realising Africa's Economic Potential", will bring together key stakeholders in the financial sector throughout Africa as well as influential global leaders.

Speaking at a pre-summit luncheon in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Kaseba said the event will be an opportunity for women to accelerate their achievements, especially those in rural areas.

The luncheon was hosted by Dr Charlotte Scott, wife of Vice-President Guy Scott who was also in attendance at Government House.

Dr Kaseba said rural women have continued to face financial constraints and lack of access to land.

"There is so much that women can do to contribute to the economic growth of this nation, especially the agriculture sector.

"Time is ripe to engage women in the financial sector by hosting this prestigious event and this will put the country on the world map as we are the first to host it in southern Africa," Dr Kaseba said.

And Special Gender envoy at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Geraldine Fraiser Moleketi said there is need to initiate ways of addressing financial inclusion for women.

Ms Moleketi said AfDB has provided K2.4 million for the summit and called on other stakeholders to contribute towards it.

Minister of Gender and Child Development Inonge Wina assured that Government is ready to provide the leadership and resources to ensure that the summit is successful.

Ms Wina said the summit will give an opportunity to Zambians to showcase their skills in managing and hosting high-profile events.

She said: "We must all prepare for this summit knowing too well that the world is anxious to hear about the developments and successes before, during and after the summit."

Several corporates pledged financial and service support to the summit with Zamtel promising K55 million and Trade Kings K35 million.

Mirriam saved from early marriage

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

Mirriam Michelo narrating her story

WHEN 13-year-old Mirriam Michelo was forced to marry a much older widower with children older than her; her dreams of holding a syringe and wearing a white uniform as a nurse were immediately shattered.

As if that was not enough, her parents, her supposed-protectors were in the forefront of pushing her into the early marriage.

Mirriam thought her mother was joking when she informed her about her impending marriage.

She later shared this information with her teacher who discouraged her from getting married at the expense of her future.

She tried to resist by telling her parents that she wanted to continue with her education; instead she was confined in the house where she was counselled on how to handle a man in marriage.

"This was in 2003 and I was in Grade seven, each time I asked about school, I was beaten and told school was for boys and not for girls,"

"I was emotionally affected during this period because I did not want to get married. I just wanted to go back to school and complete my education so that I could realise my dream of becoming a nurse," recounted Mirriam.

To make it worse, her future husband kept visiting her parents as he sought her hand in marriage.

Her parents grew increasingly frustrated with her refusal to get married and eventually they started beating her in the hope that she would change her mind.

As this went on, Mirriam developed a deeper yearning for school especially that her friends would visit her.

"One day my friends from school came to visit me and I used this opportunity to write a letter to my teacher and I explained everything that I was going through,"

"I learnt that my teacher took my letter to Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) where he reported the matter," she said.

As life sometimes frowns on people and so does it also favour some, the YWCA working together with the Victim Support Unit (VSU) from the Zambia Police rescued Mirriam from her unfair confinement.

YWCA took her back to school and supported her until she completed her Grade twelve. "Had it not been for YWCA Zambia and VSU, I would have not been here today because maybe I would have been a mother taking care of my children and my husband without completing school," said Mirriam.

"I am happy I was saved from becoming a child bride and taken back to school, but there are many other young girls who are going through the same kind of thing," she said.

Miriam story is a true reflection of how society still views education for girls as not being important. Her story came to light during the high level debate on child, early and forced marriage that was held on the margins of the Human Rights Council to the United Nations in Geneva which Director-General Mr Michael Moller, the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Babatunde Osotimehin and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms Navy Pillay among others attended.

During the interactive dialogue, Ms Michelo was asked what her wish was; to which she responded that she would love to realise her dream of becoming a nurse but her parents did not have money to send for further education.

That is when Dr Osotimehin announced that UNFPA would offer Mirriam a scholarship to Masters Level for her to realise her dream.

This is according to a statement from Zambia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva, Encyla Sinjela to Ministry of Gender and Child Development permanent Secretary Daisy N'gambi.

Ms Sinjela said "this month, at another side event, I together with Ms Michelo participated in a panel discussion on the same at which I informed the audience of the efforts of the First Lady Christine Kaseba Sata in fighting the vice and national strategic plan that was adopted among others."

She also said Government's involvement of traditional leaders and churches was noted as best practice which should be followed by other countries.

Meanwhile, Mirriam said children are supposed to be protected from early marriages because it destroys all plans they might have of growing up.

"We need laws to be put in place to protect girls from becoming child brides. And I hope my story will encourage policy makers to work harder to ensure that the girl child is protected from early marriages,"

"One day they [girl child] can be able to do the same kind of work for others as well and be able to make decisions like policy makers do," she hopes.

In June, many of these same policymakers will gather for the next Human Rights Council session, where child marriage will be a central issue.

It is hoped that as they debate the best way to end the practices of child, early and forced marriages, they will remember Mirriam's story: her anguish, her uncertainty and ultimately, her joy at being given a second chance to fulfill her dream when sadly so many girls in Zambia are not so fortunate.

40 Lusaka-based schools receive 10,000 early grade books

BY SITEMBILE SIWAWA

THE Centre for the Promotion of Literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa (CAPOLSA) has donated 10,000 early grade readers' books to 40 Lusaka-based schools.

Beneficiary schools include Chisengalumbwe Primary, Muyoma Primary, Saint Patrick's Girls Basic, Tuunduya Primary, Chibelo Primary, Libala Stage Three Primary, Nelson Mandela Primary, Northmead Basic, Kanyama Basic and Chinika Basic.

Others are Lusakasa Primary, Mkandawire Basic, Arthur Wina Basic, Kabwata Basic, Libala Basic, Kamwala Basic and Burma Basic.

CAPOLSA coordinator Robert Serpell said in an interview that the books will supplement Government's efforts in trying to enhance the policy of local languages as a medium of instruction.

The books have been translated into two Zambian languages, namely Bemba and Nyanja and have been published with the help of University of Jyvaskla in Finland.

Professor Serpell said teaching children in local languages enhances the development of their reading and writing skills.

"We are delighted to give our early learners these supplementary readers' books as a response to public outcry that the local language policy came in too soon when there are no reading materials," he said.

Prof Serpell has also commended Government over the introduction of the use of local languages as a medium of instruction.

He said it is unfortunate that despite the Patriotic Front government's willingness to make local languages vibrant, some people are not willing to embrace the policy.

"It is very difficult for some people in other professions to understand this policy, this is different with scientists and educationalists," said Prof Serpell.

And permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education Science Vocational Training and Early Childhood Chishimba Nkosha said the donated books will help children maintain their literacy skills.

Make women's health central in State planning - Kaseba

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

LET'S make women's health central in all Government planning, because they are the cornerstone of our society, First Lady Christine Kaseba has advised.

Dr Kaseba says it is important that the fight against cervical cancer is given adequate attention because it is not only a medical condition but also has a socio-economic, cultural and spiritual effect on women.

She said "We need to be more focused in the fight against any type of cancer in this country as more than 60 percent of the cases occur in low and middle income countries."

Dr Kaseba said this recently at the human papilloma virus (HPV) dissemination meeting in Lusaka.

"Last year over seven million lives were lost due to cervical cancer worldwide. It is projected that by 2030 there will be a rise in new cases from 13 million to 27 million," she said.

Dr Kaseba is, however, happy that treatment has improved in cervical cancer cases following the opening of the Cancer Disease Hospital at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.

"For the first time in the history of this nation, radiotherapy has been made available to the community," she said.

Speaking at the same occasion acting deputy director in the Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health Penelope Kalesha disclosed that over 16,000 girls were given the human papilloma virus vaccine during the third round dosage as of December 2013.

This included grade four girls and those who are out of school. Dr Kalesha said 70 percent of the 25,000 girls was targeted in three districts in 2013.

This year 25,000 girls are expected to be vaccinated.

She also said the 2013 HPV exercise will be used to determine the capacity for the national roll-out plan scheduled for next year.

"Reaching 50,000 girls in grade four and out of school required tremendous effort from all stakeholders.

Initially the introduction of this HPV vaccine will be for two years and last year our target was 25,000 girls and this year the remaining 25,000 girls are targeted," Dr Kalesha said.

DC implores women to unite, support each other

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

AS THE country joins the rest of the world in commemorating the International Women's Day, Choma district commissioner Bernadette Hamweemba has urged women to "unite and support one another".

And Ms Hamweemba has called on the church to use this year's Youth Day celebrations to counsel the youth, who patronise bars as early as 06:00hours, in search of alcohol.

Speaking in Choma recently during the Golden Jubilee launch for the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) southern region, the commissioner urged women in her district to always promote unity of purpose.

"I urge women to turn up in numbers so that we celebrate our day, we [women] need to stand up and be heard, lets unite and support one another as we seek to develop the country," Ms Hamweemba said.

And the commissioner said there was a dire need for sober youths to help retrieve their fellow youths "who are drowning in alcohol abuse".

And Barclays Bank Zambia has pledged to continue supporting the welfare of women in an attempt to bridge the gap that still exist in gender equality attainment.

The Bank also launched the rising stars talent programme which will see 13 participants equipped with leadership skills.

Speaking at the International Women's day Recognition award ceremony yesterday, Barclays Bank managing director Saviour Chibiya said women have potential which the country can tap from for national development.

And speaking at the same event, Bank of Zambia director bank supervision Gladys Mposha said there was need to celebrate women's achievements as there have been limited opportunities.

And CHAMBO NG'UNI reports that Kabwe district Commissioner Patrick Chishala yesterday led scores of pupils from various schools in cleaning the town centre ahead of International Youth Day next week.

Olofeya: Remedy to early childhood education?

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

DOES the word 'Olofeya' ring a bell to the old school that had an opportunity to sample from the great innovation?

Certainly, the popular 'Olofeya' were the most happening centres 'cum' nursery schools during the pre-independence era and the Kaunda days.

Evarist Chilufya of Lusaka shares an insight of how it was like attending welfare centres, as they were rightly called.

"These were places which were mostly found in compounds countrywide where children could go to and learn various sports disciplines," Mr Chilufya said.

Mr Chilufya said the welfare centres were manned by social welfare officers from government. "One other thing that attracted children to these centres was that we used to be given food like porridge and soup, and that welfare centres enabled many to identify their talents," he said.

By design, the welfare centres were meant to keep children in the townships busy and to keep them away from engaging in any mischief.

These places helped children to identify their talents and craft their interests towards what they loved.

Despite the great importance attached to these centres, they were later discontinued due to the collapse in the economy in the late 1980s.

And with the coming of the MMD into government in 1991, many sectors of the economy were liberalised and the early education sector was one of those that went into the hands of non-state actors (private sector).

A number of private early learning centres mushroomed in suburban areas which only catered for the elite.

This trend saw the margin widening between children from different social backgrounds.

Eventually, children from poor families were forced to abandon the early education system due to exorbitant fees that were charged.

Perhaps this is where the notion was introduced in Zambia that a child should begin Grade One at the age of seven.

However, early childhood education, which targets children below the age of six, sets that this is the critical stage for a child's growth, survival and development.

It is a period where a brain of a child develops rapidly; where talking, walking, self-esteem and vision of the world and moral foundation are developed.

As a result, the early childhood education learning remained in private hands, leading to poor and uncoordinated service delivery especially with the mushrooming of nurseries in peri-urban areas, with only 18.2 percent of children having early childhood education experience at Grade One entrance.

Zambia National Educational Coalition executive director Grace Manyonga observes that there has been low access to early childhood education services due to host factors including government's involvement in service delivery.

Ms Manyonga said it is also unfortunate that most early learning centres are pre-dominantly offering pre-schooling and not holistic early learning programmes.

However, the 2011-2016 Patriotic Front manifesto aims at streamlining operations of the early childhood education with a view to providing early childhood education teachers in all local government wards in Zambia.

To cap it all, 1,000 early education teachers were last year employed and deployed countrywide. And this year, Government rolled out the early childhood education centres in all provinces of the country.

The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education has also given an assurance that children from poor homes will be given an opportunity to benefit from early childhood education as it provides the best foundation for children, especially for the future.

According to the Ministry of Education, early childhood education is not meant to teach children how to speak English but to provide them with skills necessary to develop their understanding.

And Media Network for Child Rights and Development executive director Henry Kabwe said like welfare centres, the early learning centres should include talent identification among children.

It is important that Government picks up the best strategies and methods that existed during the 'welfare' days and try to infuse them in modern nursery schools to make them effective for the Zambian child.