African CS | ReadingRoom | CRCC The Open Window Network, South Africa and the ZEBRA Information Office
present a joint publication:

VOICES AND VISIONS
Audio-Visual Media in the new South Africa


The publication contains contributions by various people who in recent years have been actively involved in different areas of the South African audio-visual media sector.

It covers issues such as the political discussions currently taking place within the sector, the impact of new 'bitcasting' technologies, the possibilities for training, problems of funding, the transformation of the SABC and the latest developments within the audio-visual community media sector.

The following examples are provided to give you a taste of the content of VOICES AND VISIONS.

"The introduction of new media technology means that the community broadcast sector should no longer be seen in isolation, but as an integral part of the communication and information infrastructure. This imperative compliments the South African government's plans for "Multi-purpose Community Centres." The success of these centres in implementing the use of new media technology will depend on the consultative process established to engage communities in discussions about their local needs and requirements regarding information and communication."

writes Cassim Shariff in his article: FROM BROADCASTING
TO 'BITCASTING' - COMMUNITY TELEVISION AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES.

In her article RECONCEPTUALISING PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING - WITHIN THE SOUTH AFRICAN BROADCAST ENVIRONMENT, Professor Ruth Elizabeth Teer-Tomaselli from Centre for Cultural and Media Studies, University of Natal, Durban writes:

"The greatest challenge for both public service broadcasters - whether national or community - as well as the regulator, is the vexed question of financing. This question deserves an entire paper on its own but it is not a question which can be ignored indefinitely. There is a Nigerian proverb which sums up the dilemma of public broadcasting most aptly, by comparing it to a communally owned goat, the pride of the village.

If everyone claims ownership of the goat, but no one feeds it, then the goat will die. It would be a great pity to see public broadcasting starve to death because no one was responsible for feeding it."

In the article THE INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION SECTOR IN SOUTH AFRICA, Steven Markowitz, co-director of Cape Town's Big World Cinema says:

'These days, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is far more open to new and exciting ideas than it has ever been in its 20 year history. I think that independent producers need to seize that opportunity and test the institution as much as possible by giving the SABC as many proposals as possible and start to feel out the kind of direction it is going in. In that way they can start to carve a niche for themselves."

In her contribution to the article TRAINING FOR THE AUDIO-VISUAL SECTOR IN THE NEW SOUTH AFRICA, Martina Della Togna, co-ordinator of the Community Video Education Trust (CVET) in Cape Town explains:

"Community television is by its very nature accessible and locally based, and it exists as a tool for community development and empowerment. The people we are currently training will be the new generation of television producers who will take their skills and expertise particularly to the disadvantaged communities. Community television will play a role in demystifying the medium and will give communities a powerful voice to express their aspirations and culture in this fledgling democracy."

The hectic days of the test transmission of Greater Durban Television are thoroughly evaluated by Mike Aldrige of the Centre for Cultiral and Media Studies, University of Natal. In the article: GREATER DURBAN TELEVISION ON AIR, he explains the difficulties encountered during the experiment with great honesty. He writes for example:

"One of the major ongoing problems with the broadcast was that programme schedules often did not match the available video tapes. In order to fill the gaps other video tapes were slotted in on an ad-hoc basis, programmes being selected from whatever tapes were available in the studio at the time."

Other articles include "Participatory Communication", by Kunbeshni Govender, Video Producer in the Centre for Cultural and Media Studies (CCMS) and "The Role of Community TV in Development and Nation Buyilding in South Africa", by Chuck Scott, a graduate of CCMS and President of OWN.

Voices and Visions - Audio-Visual Media in the new South Africa co-ordination: Karen Thorne, OWN, editing: Signe Byrge S rensen, ZEBRA lay-out: Troels Faber, ZEBRA published by ZEBRA Information Officer, October 1996

Ordering a copy
The price for one copy of the publication is 20 US $, which equals 120 Danish Kroner (DKK). (this includes postal charges)

If you choose to pay in US$ please include 8 US$ for bank charges. please pay by bank transfer (SWIFT) to DABA-DKKK,3344-075484, ZEBRA, Den Danske Bank, Holmens Kanal 2-12, DK-1060 K benhavn K, Denmark You can also pay by national cheque. Within Europe you can use ZEBRA's postal account: 877-5222

Please make sure to write your full name and address on the cheque or the bank transfer you make out to ZEBRA. We will send you your copy of VOICES AND VISIONS as soon as we receive your order and payment.

What is ZEBRA?
The ZEBRA Information Centre is the headquarters of the international association, ZEBRA, the general aim of which is to document, discuss and support audio-visual activities with a social, cultural or political content which promote North-South understanding, or serve as an instrument for development projects and democratic empowerment in the South. ZEBRA focuses on any audio-visual activity (film, video, development education, film festivals, distribution efforts, development communication and communication development) that functions as a means of communicating interpretations of 'reality,' of changing attitudes, cultural bridge building, of confirming cultural and political identity and promoting democratic endeavours.

ZEBRA's present activities are: - publication of a quarterly magazine (ZEBRA News) in English and Spanish; - publications on the audio-visual scenario in specific countries of the South; - organisation of seminars and workshops; - compilation and updating of a database on organisations and individuals active within its field; - servicing information requests from film and video makers, journalist, students etc. around the world.

ZEBRA News
ZEBRA News is a quarterly magazine in English and Spanish for people involved in audio-visual activities on North-South issues. The magazine provides articles about the developments on the international audio-visual scene, audio-visual activities in specific countries, communication projects, festival notices etc. Subscribing to ZEBRA News is free, except for subscribers living in Europe, Israel, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The fee for one years subscription in these countries is 17 US$ (100 DKK) for individuals and 50 US$ (300 DKK) for organisations.

This message was issued by
Signe Byrge S rensen
ZEBRA Information Office
Elmegade 5, 1
DK-2200 K benhavn N
Danmark
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