Journalists conference

By Tichaona Sibanda
13 September 2005

Over 350 African journalists are in Grahamstown, South Africa for the week long, 9th Highway Africa conference. 12 journalists from Zimbabwe are also attending the conference.

Our Bulawayo correspondent Themba Nkosi is one of the 12 journalists drawn from both the state and independent media.

The conference has become the largest gathering of journalists in Africa, drawing journalists from 28 African countries and eight from outside the continent. They have been urged to use the media effectively as a tool for change.

In one of the seminars being held on the sidelines of the conference, journalists discussed the importance of radio on the continent. It was observed that many African leaders are still reluctant to open up their airwaves.

The conference, which began in 1996 is organised by Rhodes University’s school of journalism in conjunction with the SABC.