With the support of a grant from the US Consulate General in Johannesburg, media practitioners of community radio stations in Gauteng had the opportunity to attend the Menell Media Exchange 2017 conference (MMX17) in Bryanston.
Reporters and presenters of Alexandra’s Alex FM and Mamelodi’s community radio station, Mams FM, joined hundreds of reporters, producers, journalists, and presenters of commercial and public service media at the conference.
Alex FM presenter Neo ‘Cappuccino’ Dithloiso said, “My highlights were networking with the big players and interviewing influential people… I’m really glad I got this opportunity.”
Ntebo Mohlala, a reporter of Mams FM said, “I’ve gained so much as a young reporter from attending this conference. I’m grateful for the opportunity I got to learn from experienced people and the confidence I gained interviewing some of them.”
The consulate’s Mike McCarthy reaffirmed his country’s commitment to media development. He said,”Community radio plays a critical role in disseminating information on everything from health care to politics across the country.
“Community radio’s importance to South Africans cannot be underestimated and we are delighted to have helped MMX17 extend the reach of its programming to South African reporters who might otherwise not have benefited.”
The conference was one of several academic exchanges and professional development programmes supported by the US consulate throughout the year.
“These programmes, sponsored by the US Department of State, promote dialogue and encourage mutual understanding between Americans and South Africans,” McCarthy said.
