The radio shows feature young South Africans digging deeper into issues that affect young people. Organisers say the shows are both fun and informative. They explore topics like globalisation, the education crisis in South Africa, unemployment, sexuality, drugs, and HIV/AIDS.

The shows are broadcast live by seven different community radio stations in and around the Western Cape of South Africa: Radio Atlantis; UCT Radio, Rondebosch; Radio KC, Paarl; Valley FM, Worcester; Radio Zibonele, Khayalitsha; Bush Radio, Salt River; and Radio 786, Rylands.

Local youth participation is a key programme approach. The project recruited young people from the respective communities, then trained them as hosts and producers to run the Diggz Show at their community radio stations. The show is broadcast in three different languages (English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa) and regularly features local talent from the communities and local South African music. Young people from the community are invited to be guests on the show and in that way localise the stories.

The project has a mini magazine called Diggz Zine that provides youth with descriptions of the Diggz Youth A’live Radio Project, details about when and where they can tune into the radio shows, and information about local South African artists. Content for the quarterly publication is generated by the youth who are involved in the project, local artists, and the Diggz radio hosts. Click here to download a copy of the magazine in PDF format.

In addition, monthly workshops are provided as part of a Course Programme. Workers World produced a manual for participants to consult during the course and use as a guide. Each participant is involved in a media component: radio, video, or photojournalism. The course aims to:

• equip participants with the tools for analysing South African society and the position of youth in particular
• provide participants with an understanding of the key issues facing South African youth
• develop key youth leadership, organising, and media skills.
• ensure the fullest possible involvement of participating youth in the ongoing development of the youth radio shows in the form of Youth-Community Radio Forums
• encourage active and organised community involvement by participating youth, centred around key social, economic, and political issues that affect them.

Live gigs are organised so that youth from all the areas where the Diggz Youth A’live radio show is broadcast can come together and have good, clean fun. On the September 23 2004, the first Gigg saw an eclectic mix of local artists showing off their talents. Listeners got a chance to party with their radio hosts and become part of Diggz. At least two additional Giggs will take place, in an effort to make Diggz more accessible to the communities.

Youth.