Matthew Krouse Down the tube
In the struggle years there was a lot of talk about saving the children. If it wasn’t mentioned in pop songs, it was written in the charters of NGOs.
One such organisation – Molo Songololo – has for the last 19 years existed entirely for the sake of the children. Known mostly for its magazine of the same name, its new partnership with Times Media Television is opening new doors and extending its interest base.
Having survived the turbulent Eighties, Molo Songololo is perfectly poised to talk directly to the younger generation, from 7 to 14 years, about the things that matter to them. These include social issues like crime, gangsterism, poverty, abuse, environmental, life skills and intercultural issues.
On May 12 at 2.30pm on SABC1 the first episode of The Molo Show was aired – a perfect time for the kiddies to catch, after school and before homework begins.
The programme is led by child presenters, less voracious than the one’s you’d encounter on Saturday mornings on Disney’s Cartoon Caf. They hardly ever exclaim “Yo!” or say that anyone is “in the house”.
The programme links are set in a derelict house where the implication is that a bunch of city children have gone to great lengths to set up a low tech den, from where they can survey their world.
The first episode focused on the art of storytelling. An interdisciplinary look at the craft involved theatre, puppetry, rap music, traditional tales and film animation. This presented children with a number of career prospects that they could consider, if artistically inclined.
Band members of the Cape rap outfit Prophets of da City were even at hand to show the presenters how they construct their poems.
As for the heavy stuff, like confrontations with more serious aspects of the childhood experience, none of it was evident last week. The fourth episode, however, deals with culture and identity, and the sixth episode deals with puberty – two delicate subjects that, if the first episode is anything to go by, will be dealt with in a manner that is fun and light.
Peppered throughout with brief items about the central subject matter, The Molo Show is a perfect vehicle for opening the eyes and minds of the country’s youth.
In true style, though, don’t expect the second episode to be aired a week after the first. Wednesdays May 19 and 26 see the broadcast of the cricket World Cup and so the airing of the Molo Show will resume on June 2.
This is merely a temporary setback to the show that is set to have a positive impact on the youth.
The next step for both the producers and the supporting organisation will be the establishment of an Internet site to be called Molo Web. The potential for youth broadcasting is infinite – what we’re seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.