Aviwe Business Development Services, in Newtown, Johannesburg, is implementing two media training programmes with the R12,4 million funding it was approved from the National Skills Fund (NSF) in November 2018. A total of 200 unemployed youth are beneficiaries of this funding injection.
The training is borne out of the increasing demand for media jobs and skills needed to implement the digital terrestrial transmission in film and television production, as well as the growth in community radio stations.
Targeting matriculants and youth with a Level-4 qualification, the programme trains in film and television production (National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5) and radio production (NQF Level 5). The programme covers 30% theory and 70% practical and workplace experience.
Makho Makhumbuzo Marekwa (22) from the North West is one of the learners enrolled for the film and television programme. He always wanted to come to Johannesburg to pursue his media career because “North West does not have opportunities in the media space”.
Now based in Centurion, Gauteng, he has produced his first television feature as part of a group assignment. “The feature focusses on music rights in South Africa”, he explained. “For example, you often find musicians who still die poor in South Africa, it’s still a sensitive topic that must be probed. The feature will centre on how intellectual property affects the livelihood of musicians”.
“It has been a rewarding experience to go out and secure interviews with influential figures such as Mercy Pakela to talk to this issue. So from content research to production, the programme is giving us real exposure”, Marekwa said.
He thanks the NSF for providing funding for these programmes, particularly for young people wanting to pursue careers in media. Not that he is in the programme for the stipend, but Marekwa says that it does help cover his transport costs so that he can focus on learning.
“If you have passion for something, you should look for it everywhere”, is his motivation to other young people. “Never lose hope in seeking you dream because I stayed at home for about three years helping my mother with her business before I got this opportunity with Aviwe Business Development Services”.
Phomolo Kgoro (21), from Carlton Centre, in Gauteng, is also signed up for the film and television programme offered by Aviwe Business Development Services.
Her 2015 matric results did not meet university entry requirements for film and television studies. She has since completed a media consultancy course at Boston College and taught herself sewing and fashion design through YouTube. She bought herself a sewing machine and was running a sewing business when she saw the Aviwe poster on social media.
“I have always been a good storyteller and now, through this programme, I am exploring my storytelling skills. The programme will also give me credits to gain entry to university so I can study further”, she said.
This article was published in the NSF 2018/19 Annual Report
