Ithemba Lomnqobi means “Victor’s Hope” in the IsiZulu language. It is a radio programme hosted by TWR Africa that uses dramatic arts as a conduit of hope for maltreated children and the caregivers who nurture and support them.
What is Child Maltreatment, and why does it matter?
Child maltreatment is a widespread issue in South Africa and the world at large. It is a broad term that refers to the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse or neglect of children under the age of 18. Up to three hundred million children suffer maltreatment globally, with effects that are far-reaching and sustained. The apparent effects of child maltreatment are death, physical injury, and disability. Other effects include stress that could tamper with brain development and damage nervous systems, leading to cognitive development delays that can negatively affect children even into adulthood. In South Africa, child maltreatment is a growing problem as a 2023 report showed that over 2500 children were violently maltreated within three months, out of which 245 children did not survive.
How does Radio drama help?
Even though media has evolved drastically over the decades, radio remains a meaningful way to access information in remote areas because radio units are relatively cheap. Once obtained, radio units are easy to operate and do not require payment to access their services.
Radio drama is a powerful tool for instruction. It creates safe spaces and indirectly presents actions and reactions within environments. How actions and reactions are presented can serve as an instructional tool that can be accessed in a non-confrontational manner.
Similarly, the Bible uses parables (dramatised prose) to teach sensitive topics. Worthy of note is the Parable of the Trees in Judges 9. Jotham was the youngest of 70 sons and had just witnessed his brother Abimelech murder 68 of their brothers. Jotham’s life was in danger, especially because Abimelech had already been crowned a de facto king. Jotham wished to declare that his brother Abimelech was unjust and unworthy of being king, and he used the Parable of the Trees to craft a dramatic narration in which his instructive message was passed across in a non-confrontational and instructional manner.
How does Victor’s Hope make a difference?
Ithemba Lomnqobi, launched in 2022, is a 15-minute radio programme broadcast in the IsiZulu language with culturally relevant content to instruct and empower caregivers of maltreated children. Ithemba Lomnqobi is featured weekly on Highway Radio and reaches KwaZulu Natal, the biggest province in South Africa, with 61 municipalities. Its dramatic storylines address pertinent topics like abuse, grief, and pain.
Mr Petros Gwala is a TWR Ministries Project Manager and the producer for Ithemba Lomnqobi. He provided further insight into the great need this radio programme fulfils.
He stated that the programme is specifically geared towards caregivers in rural areas who are rarely able to access information and resources more readily available in urban areas. He also pointed out that during the COVID pandemic abuse cases were exacerbated, with churches and other resource buildings being closed due to the lockdown. Ithemba Lomnqobi began bridging the resource availability gap from its inception in 2022.
Challenges and Future Direction
The Ithemba Lomnqobi radio programme is still growing and needs the engagement of more field workers as well as more equipment to facilitate production. In addition, Mr. Petros shared that, in the future, the radio programme plans to feature testimonies of surviving Victors who have gallantly overcome the effects of abuse. Through this radio programme TWR has great plans to increase it’s reach and production, depending on radio airtime, as negotiations are needed to keep the programme on the air.
