SABC's new bureau to shape African stories

The newly established East African Bureau of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will help generate news within the right African perspective, said Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

By Thapelo Sakoana

9 Jul 2007

Speaking at the opening of the bureau in Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday, 7 July, the deputy president said this would help the SABC play an important role in providing a platform for the generation of news stories that promote the interests of the region.

"It is a sign of confidence in this region that SABC News opens a news bureau so as to ensure that news about Africa is produced and presented from an African perspective," she said.

She explained that those initiatives such as the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) and the African Union (AU) would be central in helping SABC News tell stories with a Pan-African focus.

The bureau's role would be to also "build bridges" for countries in the region to understand each other.

"An importance of this News Bureau is that it will go a long way in recasting how we see Africa and her people.

"For far too long, we have relied on others to tell our stories. Now it is time to say Africa is not a dark continent, but that it has good stories filled with hope," said Mlambo-Ngcuka.

The political stability and economic prosperity in East Africa would help the SABC meet its corporate goal to produce "compelling, professional and authoritative news, current affairs that tells the African story accurately and plays a meaningful role in supporting the African Renaissance and Nepad."

"I am sure what will emerge from this launch is quality broadcast, an optimistic message, but an image of a continent flushed with economic prosperity. The solid relations that are built during this launch have a multiplier effect," she said.

This East African Bureau would have positive spin-offs by creating new media industries, creating employment and generating wealth for the local economy, she said.

The broadcast channel also aims to feature programming that is relevant to the needs of the people.

This bureau will provide a platform around issues and discussion on regional integration, eradication of poverty, paths of sustainable growth and development as well as the acceleration of women and youth empowerment.

"I am further convinced this is a value-added investment which will generate valuable information for diverse audiences," said Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews