Celebrating 10 years of Niambie, Tanzania’s youth-focused radio show
Media in Tanzania is facing many challenges. One programme that has managed to confront these challenges is the Niambie (Tell Me) radio show, produced by BBC Media Action. The show highlights the issues that young people – particularly girls and young women – in Tanzania deal with. This year, the SDC celebrates 10 years of Niambie, which it has supported since its inception, and interviewed various stakeholders involved in its success.
Every week, young people in Tanzania eagerly tune in to the Niambie (Tell Me) radio show. Produced by BBC Media Action Tanzania, the show explicitly addresses the issues that young people – particularly young women – are facing in the country, for example, employment, gender equality, gender-based violence and political participation. Switzerland has supported BBC Media Action since 2014. Through its contributions, Switzerland aims to empower the media and civil society more generally and also offer young audiences engaging content that raises awareness about their social, political and economic rights. This empowers them to make their own decisions and become responsible adults. Switzerland’s cooperation in Tanzania entails three focus areas: the strengthening of state institutions, the strengthening of civil society and improving living conditions for young people. Whilst supporting BBC Media Action (and other media organizations) contributes to all three focus areas due to the important role of media in a thriving civil society, it is particularly effective in empowering young people. Niambie boosts the careers of young professionals interested in working in media by providing them with training and mentoring.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) visited BBC Media Action Tanzania, located in the heart of Dar es Salaam, in September and engaged with various people involved in the programme. BBC Media Action Country Director Anna Bwana underlined the achievements of 10 years of Niambie. Listener Agnes Lawrence and young media professional Kefa Igilo highlighted what Niambie has meant and continues to mean to them on their path into adulthood. Finally, BBC Media Action project manager Happy Karungula and Flora Siriwa, presenter of the Niambie show, explained what makes Niambie important in Tanzania’s media landscape. That day’s show featured Clara Muchunguzi from the NGO Restless Development, which is active across the world encouraging youth to assume positions of leadership and drive positive change. With the hosts she discussed women and leadership in the context of Tanzania’s upcoming local elections.
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