Volunteer reality TV to change communities?

The people who bring the Soul City drama series to TV have developed the series. Nyanga Tshabalala, an internationally accomplished puppeteer, writer and director, will host Kwanda.

Antoinette Ntuli, Soul City's acting executive: media, says, "Kwanda promises high emotion and drama which is intended to inspire people to make a difference. Kwanda means 'wealth' and 'growth' and we believe it is the first programme of this type on television worldwide."

Trained to organise

A few months ago, volunteer teams were recruited across SA. Since then they have been trained to organise themselves and were filmed as they work together addressing some of the biggest challenges their communities face.

"Kwanda teams have been helping orphans, reducing alcohol abuse and alcohol related violence, generating income, creating jobs and reducing new HIV infections. The series tracks their journey and will support communities who are facing similar issues by providing ideas for action, as well as relevant contact information," adds Ntuli.

During the series, audiences will follow the drama, tensions, successes and challenges of these ordinary people doing some extraordinary things and, at the end of the series, the TV audience will reward the team they believe has made the biggest difference in their community with a major prize.

"Kwanda demonstrates government's commitment to improving the living conditions of poor people in South Africa,” says minister of social development Edna Molewa. “It promises a powerful new approach to engaging communities in sustainable development and promoting sustainable livelihoods."

Five community teams

The five Kwanda community teams are based in:

• Pefferville, near East London, Eastern Cape
  
• Mthwalume, near Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal
  
• Tjakastad, near Barberton, Mpumalanga
  
• Lephephane, near Tzaneen, Limpopo
  
• Kwakwatsi, near Sasolburg, Free State

To help communities create new jobs, fashion project Kwanda Klothing will be launched during the TV series. A team of designers has been working with sewing groups in each of the communities, putting together an urban street wear collection, creating jobs and teaching entrepreneurial skills.

For more, go to www.kwanda.org.za.