MEDIA for and about CHILDREN

Vuleka Productions has an affinity for media with an underlying social message, especially projects for and about children. We aim to ensure that our productions are successful both in winning audiences and in educating and changing attitudes. Vuleka’s work for and about children includes TV and radio programs that aim to both educate and entertain, such as the international early childhood education project, Takalani Sesame and the environmental education series featuring “talking animals”, Adventures at the Water Hole. Our programming for children has been supported by educational advisors and positively assessed through independent research, e.g. Human Sciences Research Council and Social Surveys.

Like many media practitioners, Vuleka has developed a response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic: our focus has been on its effect on children. We brainstormed around media interventions and identified a critical need to combat the stigma and discrimination faced by vulnerable children. Our concern is summed up by a young child who told us:

I’d like to be a nurse when I grow up
but I don’t know if I’m allowed to because I’m an orphan.

Such children from South Africa’s “orphan generation” will inevitably shape the future of the country. If they are neglected, they risk becoming agents for social disorder, crime and violence. If they are cared for and supported, they in turn can help and support others. Like all children, their basic needs must be met, from health to education, but they also deserve to be entertained and stimulated – which is what media does so well – and do not deserve to be “ghettoized” as separate from other children. Vuleka has developed productions aimed at orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) yet encouraging all children to reach out and help one another.

One of Vuleka’s most popular media productions is the documentary, A Child is a Child (because of other children) which can be ordered on this website on DVD and video, and the theme song of the film, also available on CD.

Vuleka looks forward to continuing its work with and for children and invites organizations, groups and individuals to contact us with a view to developing, researching and producing media for and about children.