JUBA - As Radio Miraya celebrated 20 years of being on air in South Sudan, journalists from across the country commemorated the importance of the network’s contribution to conflict prevention, reconciliation, and peace.
What stood out most was a group of young student journalists covering the event who weren’t even born when the United Nations-operated radio station began its vital work in 2006.
The youngsters from Darling Wisdom Academy School and St. Mary’s Academy Journalism Club, who have been mentored by Radio Miraya staff for three years, came to the event armed with their phones and a thirst for bringing news of importance to communities across the country.
“I listen to Radio Miraya because it always provides accurate information,” explained budding journalist, James Jolbek from St. Mary’s Academy. “It gives me the courage to choose to be a journalist so that I can also present accurate news to people across South Sudan.”
One Miraya presenter is particularly popular with these budding reporters.
Irene Lasu, co-host of the iconic Miraya Breakfast Show, describes the mentoring programme with these high schoolers as “nurturing sessions” where she teaches these eager young minds the essentials of news gathering and presenting.
“It is important to nurture young talent. If someone has exhibited a love for something, it is important that those of us who have walked the journey, help guide them so that they can take over from us as the next generation.”
The adage that ‘an apple doesn’t fall far from the tree’ is true in this instance with Leticia Oyet, the daughter of the President of the Union of Journalists of South Sudan, following in her fathers’ footsteps.
“My father inspires me because I see how he speaks truth to the whole of South Sudan and I want the opportunity to do the same.”
Covering the Miraya at 20 event was a huge step for these budding young journalists as they rubbed shoulders with veterans of the business.
“Our students are learning a lot from the team at Radio Miraya. Their mentoring will help them shape meaningful careers in journalism in future,” said Brian Mujungu, an English Language teacher at Darling Wisdom Academy.
Whatever path they decide to take after high school, it is obvious that these young minds are ready to make a real difference in speaking truth to power at a critical time in their young nation’s history.
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Julio Brathwaite
