Breaking Borders: Migration Radio Documentaries

The Breaking Borders project involved a one week long workshop with community radio journalists and people from mobile populations. The goal of the workshop was to build knowledge and skills, while also using those skills hands-on to create a series of radio documentaries about various migration issues. At the workshop, radio journalists and migrants learned about documentary techniques, and then worked collaboratively to plan the story, interviews, and locations to visit as part of the production. During two practical work days, journalists went with migrants to the places they normally frequent, for example, their homes and workplaces, to record. Each documentary explores a specific migration issue based on a migrant’s individual experience.

For example, Ana's Story focuses on Ana Dlomo* , a woman living with HIV from the neighbouring province who managed to find her place in Johannesburg through her work with a sex worker's health and advocacy organisation. Darius' Story follows a Congolese refugee and activist Darius Kwigomba as he talks about his life and his work with a refugee rights organisation. Farai's Story focuses on Farai Chinomwe, a Zimbabwean mbira player who lost all of his instruments during South Africa's xenophobic attacks in 2008. Onyi's Story follows a young Nigerian basketball player, Onyebuchi Onyejieke, as he talks about the difficulties of being a young person alone and his dreams of playing professional basketball overseas. Finally, Jenny's Story focuses on Jenny Ndamwemezi*, a young Burundian refugee and survivor of gender-based violence.

The documentaries were distributed to radio stations for broadcast, as well as to organisations for use as a training tool. Accompanying background/fact sheets, including story summaries, ideas, and questions for radio presenters and background information, are designed to facilitate greater media coverage on the issues.

According to the organisers, by providing a safe space for journalists and migrant communities to share experiences, stories, and skills, the workshop gave participants the opportunity to find common ground and gain new perspectives. The practical training programme was designed to ensure that participants are able to use the skills they learn, better enabling them to put those skills into practice in their radio stations and communities after the workshop ended. In addition, by distributing the programmes and guide to radio stations and community groups, the project seeks to ensure wide exposure of the issues, and facilitate increased discussion and debate.

*names changed

Migration, Gender, Refugees, HIV/AIDS

According to organisers, migration is an important part of South Africa’s social fabric. Yet South Africans rarely hear the real-life stories of what it is like to be a migrant, and rarely consider the many issues related to migration. At the same time, since many of these issues are sensitive, and many migrants difficult to access, media and journalists are challenged to report accurately and effectively on these issues.

The organisers hope that increased dialogue and improved coverage will begin to change negative public perceptions toward migrant communities in South Africa. In addition, by providing migrant communities with an opportunity to access media, the project aims to increase their understanding of the media, and equip them with the tools and confidence to interact with their local media.