‘Zathu Pawailesi’ hits airwaves, grand launch set for Saturday: Girl Effect Malawi

An exciting new radio show for young people known as Zathu Pawailesi is set to hit the airwaves of some of the notable radio stations in the country on Monday, April 24, 2016 following a three-week public awareness campaign, which has reached out to youths in all corners of the country.

Zathu Band dancing on the stage. Photo by Leonard Shara
There is a gap: James speaking to reporters. Photo by Leonard Sharra
Zathu band entertaining the youth.-Photo by Leonard Sharra

Supported by Girl Effect Malawi, an organisation that strives to empower the girl child through skills, knowledge and education, the new radio program seeks to reach out to young people across the country through entertainment, music and drama.

“While there are a number of programmes targeting young people, we noticed there are some gaps that need to be addressed. The young generation is so divided and we have been at something that is inclusive for both boys and girls,” said James Kenedy, chief executive officer for Girl Effect Malawi during one of the public awareness activities.

According to Girl Effect Malawi’s senior partnership manager Khanyiwe Shawa, a research conducted by the organisation revealed Malawian girls are separated from boys after reaching puberty, a situation she said leads to most of the girls missing out on a lot of opportunities.

“Parents think that every boy-girl relationship can lead to sexual activity but if boys and girls work and stay together, they can help each other on important issues such as education. The HIV/Aids scourge can also be easily mitigated if there are friendships between boys and girls as they will be advising each other,” said Shawa.

In readiness for the show, Girl Effect Malawi has been holding road shows in Zomba, Machinga, Lilongwe and Mzimba districts, which were earmarked for the project’s pilot phase.

The main feature during the shows has been Zathu Band and drama group, comprising six young Malawians, who have been working together to overcome their challenges and follow their dreams. The three boys and three girls’ stories echo the lives of millions of young people across Malawi.

The members include- Annetti [The Survivor], T Reel [The Arrogant One], Mphatso [The Strong One], JP [The Sensitive One], Xander [The Good Guy] and Chikondi [The Dreamer].

The Zathu Pa Wailesi drama follows these characters coming together as friends and ultimately forming the Zathu Band, fusing a distinctly Malawian sound with modern rhythms. The band is also expected to perform music in real life on stages across the country and release singles and videos.

Young presenters Lily Banda and DJ Goxy will be bringing Zathu Pa Wailesi to the nation every week, playing the freshest tracks and giving boys and girls a chance to hear from their peers and role models on a wide range of topics from friendship to puberty.

Listeners will also have an opportunity to seek advice from Zathu’s own Gogo, a fountain of wisdom in Malawian culture, who will be answering questions about life issues from the show’s young listeners.

Meanwhile, the grand launch of the show has been scheduled for Zomba Community Centre this Saturday, when the Zathu Band crew will be in full swing entertaining and mixing with youth people ahead of the inaugural radio shows.

The shows will be broadcast on MBC Radio 2, Zodiac, Yoneco and Voice of Livingstonia radio stations every week.

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amen
6 years ago

Zaziiiiii men will remain men basi. Olo muchite target girls, it is still the boy child who shall make it….even without your support.

A boy child has the capacity to do ganyu and pay school fees and achieve his dream.

The best way is to help both boys and girls…

Mind you, girls fail simply because they are girls……not because there is a system that segregates them.

fis
fis
6 years ago

Researched where? In Malawi most of the time boys and girls go to school together…

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