Tsonga, Venda currents affairs programme debuts

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Danette Breitenbach

SABC News last week launched its first XiTsonga & TshiVenda Current Affairs programme, allegedly a first for South African television. This programme will broadcast on SABC 2 alternative Tuesdays in TshiVenda, as Zwa Maramani, and in XiTsonga, as Ngula Yavutivi, 6pm – 6:30pm.

Said Dr Zikalala, SABC GE news and current affairs, "The new programme will be located within SABC News' commitment to development journalism and we take pride in reaching audiences who have not previously had access to current affairs programming in their mother tongues."

The programme aims not only to target XiTsonga and TshiVenda speaking people, but also those with a basic understanding of the languages. The format is a 30-minute interactive talk show encouraging people to talk directly through voice, SMS, and email. Topics deal with issues that affect South African communities and topical issues of public interest.

This programme aims to give a voice to ordinary people. The type of people who will be interviewed are opinion makers across the spectrum in the socioeconomic and political spheres.

The presenter of the programme is Nndededzeni Ramushwana who was part of the first team of journalists to launch news in Venda. She is a journalism graduate from the then Technikon Northern Gauteng. Nndedzeni completed further studies at Pretoria Technikon. Phalaphala FM listeners will be familiar with her voice as she was the news reviewer on the morning drive time slot.