ECO-ACT - No Ordinary Green Programme. (11 October, 1996)

SABC 1's ECO-ACT Wins Major Award

SABC 1's environmental youth programme ECO-ACT has won the South African Breweries 'Environmental Journalist of the Year Award' for the Best Electronic Media Contribution. We are proud to say that the programme has won this award after only eight months on air. This award is the fourth major environmental award won by SABC Youth Programmes and signifies the SABC's serious concern for South Africa's natural environment.

We see this award as a confirmation of the programme's slogan: 'No ordinary green programme!' Adjudicators' comments read as follows: '... brilliantly executed, pertinent and never predictable, while aimed at the young (even to the extent of the language used), also held the attention of adult viewers.' ECO-ACT informs and educates young people on the broad spectrum of environmental issues. It has added new dimension to youth programming by introducing hands-on investigative journalism on environmental issues. According to Commissioning Editor Brenda Kali, 'The programme has ventured into uncharted territories with its unique investigative style and community upliftment.'

In keeping with the aspects that appeal to the young generation of South Africa, the presenters were selected from the Zulu, Xhosa, English, Swazi and Sotho language groups. Miranda Yako, Busi Kunene, Jethro Lloyd and Skhumbuzo Ngwenya are the presenters who form an integral part of this green programme and are people with whom viewers can easily identify. Courtesy of SABC1 Publicity.