MKK conference kicks off on a soulful start

By Ofentse Mokae
14 December 2009

Bush Radio’s Media Kidocracy Konference (MKK) met for the 10th year today at the St Agnes Primary School in Woodstock.

The station’s unique programme is a platform created to bring young people around the city under one umbrella to discuss issues that affect them through the media.

Delivering his opening address at the conference, the station’s programme integrator Adrian Louw briefed delegates and participants about the programme’s history.

“MKK initially started as Radio Kidocracy Konference about ten years ago enabling the youth to gather and discuss issues that affect them within the media landscape,” said Louw.

He highlighted that even though financial constraints were persistent in the work of the programme, management emphasised that MKK will take its full course.

He challenged participants to engage in debate around issues that affect them, and to empower themselves with the resources and opportunities at their disposal.

Jennifer Hartnick a former teacher and currently Western Cape Provincial Parliament MP, reiterated to the youth that they should make use of the available opportunities.

“You should count yourselves lucky that today you have great opportunities such as these, we only dreamt of,” Hartnick said.

Giving a soulful address Hartnick, who also chairs the education, sport and cultural affairs committee, said with her experience as a teacher, she likes working with children and it’s a point to tackle issues that affect young people in her work.

“During June we do have youth debates in parliament and we would like to have the MKK part of our youth programmes,” added Hartnick.

Veteran participant, young Mfundo Dafeti, who has been with the programme for five consecutive years, said his experience has been great and wonderful throughout the years.

“Because of my enjoyment and wonderful work I did in this programme I will definitely be part of it again next year although 2009 was my final year,” Dafeti said.

Dave Mc Namara chief director at the Social Development department said MKK’s theme of “Away from Violence” was relevant, given the high rates of alcohol and substance abuse which is a major contributor to violence in the province.

Not only serious talk got the delegates moving; Cape Town song writer and composer, Chad Saaiman, kept the audience thrilled throughout his performance.

Some of the topics to be tackled at this year’s meeting include violence and drug abuse amongst others.

The conference will take place the whole week till Friday the 18th.