Leading a Revolution to spark a culture of communication change, & enhance the capacities of local Youth, to show case their contribution to the social and economic Developmental Agenda of the Continent. Executive Summary.
“Akashimi-Kesu” is a Campaign that was initiated by 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow Bwalya Maketo, which seeks to portray Africa and particularly Zambia, in a positive light to
the rest of the World. The term which when loosely translated means “Our Story,” seeks to spark a movement of change in the way information about Africa is packaged and disseminated to the rest of the world. While in previous years perhaps, a certain level of ignorance and misrepresented media coverage of Africa was acceptable, today, it has become a necessary demand by audiences on the continent and beyond for more nuance, intelligence and balance as it relates to Media representation of the African Continent. The campaign therefore seeks to shine some favourable light on the Economic Dynamism and Social Change that is a current reality in Africa, thereby discarding its current mis-representation in the process. It’s time for Africans to begin to tell their own stories. OBJECTIVES.
1. To ignite a sense of responsibility among the Youth to begin to participate actively in the process of re-writing the narrative of Africa and Zambia in particular.
2. To promote the voices of the Youth within the country as positive Change Agents in the quest to achieve Africa’s transformation. EXPECTED RESULTS
• Enhanced capacities of Youth and availability of safe spaces to showcase their contribution to the social and economic developmental agenda of Zambia and Africa as a whole.
• Spark a culture of Communication Change, in which both traditional and new media, begin to project Africa in a manner, devoid of sinister stereotypes and myths, through proper scrutiny of information before sending it out.
• Extensive use of Social Media to perpetuate the campaign, translating into favourable outreach to the target demographic. TARGET GROUP/BENEFICIARIES.
Youths between the ages of 13 – 35.
Media at National, Regional and Global levels.
