Soul Beat Africa is co-sponsored by Soul City Institute and the Communication Initiative

SOUL BEAT AFRICA

Where communication and media are central to Africa's social and economic development

E-magazines


Average Rating: no ratings submitted

ID Ur-Self NOW! Campaign

Country

South Africa

Programme Summary

The ID Ur-Self NOW! campaign, conceptualised and implemented by the Communications Chief Directorate of the South African Department of Home Affairs and launched in March 2008, seeks to encourage learners and young people from the age of 16 to apply for identification documents (IDs). One of the key objectives is to ensure that every South African has an ID to register for and vote in the 2009 general elections.

Communication Strategies

A major part of the campaign involved a schools outreach programme, where schools across the country were visited and learners encouraged to apply for IDs. After applications were processed, IDs were delivered to the respective schools for all those who applied. According to organisers, after visiting over 2 600 schools across the country, the Department processed close to 97,200 ID applications. The schools programme also included a lesson around citizenship education designed to fit in with the national curriculum. The campaign developed a lesson plan for teachers and an activity sheet for learners.

The campaign also developed a website which contains information about the importance of an ID, what a person needs to get an ID, and how and where to apply. It also includes useful contacts, a chat room, a schedule of road show events, a photo gallery, and short animated videos around getting an ID and keeping it safe.

The campaign also included a road show across 5 provinces that used radio talk and magazine shows, performances by celebrity youth ambassadors, print materials, and SMS to encourage youth to get their ID document, as well as promote voter and democracy education. This aspect of the campaign is linked to the Khululeka Siyavota television series, launching in January 2009, designed to motivate youth and public participation in the 2009 general elections.

Key Points

The campaign has won the Government Communicator of the Year Award as well as the National Ubungcweti Award 2008.

Partners

Department of Home Affairs; Department of Education, National Youth Commission (NYC) and its provincial chapters; Southern African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC); Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

Contact

Siobhan McCarthy
Chief Director: Communications
Department of Home Affairs
Pretoria
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)12 810 7338


Surekha Singh
SABC Education
Johannesburg
South Africa
Tel: +27 011 714 6863


Placed on the Soul Beat Africa site December 15 2008
Last Updated December 15 2008



How useful did you find the knowledge and contacts on this page to your work?


0
No votes yet
Your rating: None


COMMENTS POSTED



Help Seed The CI Network

Jobs and more...

Community Radio and Gender

Community radio can play an important role in addressing gender imbalances in Africa. Of the key ways that this can be achieved, where is the most significant progress being made? (you may choose more than one option)