Victor's Hope
18 April 2024
A microphone in a studio [Image by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash]
Ithemba Lomnqobi means "Victor's Hope" in the isiZulu language. It is a radio programme hosted by TWR Africa that uses dramatic arts as a conduit of hope for maltreated children and the caregivers who nurture and support them.
What is child maltreatment, and why does it matter?
Child maltreatment is a widespread issue in South Africa and the world at large. It is a broad term that refers to the physical, emotional and sexual abuse or the neglect of children under the age of 18.[1] Up to 300 million children suffer maltreatment globally, with effects that are far-reaching and sustained. The apparent effects of child maltreatment are death, physical injury and disability. Other effects include stress that could tamper with brain development and damage nervous systems, leading to cognitive development delays that can negatively affect children even into adulthood. In South Africa, child maltreatment is a growing problem as a 2023 report showed that over 2,500 children were violently maltreated within three months, out of which 245 children did not survive.[2]
How does radio drama help?
Even though media and their accessibility have evolved drastically over the decades, radio remains a meaningful way to access information in remote areas because radio units are relatively cheap. Once obtained, radio units are easy to operate and do not require payment to access their services.
Radio drama is a powerful tool for instruction. It creates safe spaces and indirectly presents actions and reactions within environments. How actions and reactions are presented can serve as an instructional tool that can be accessed in a nonconfrontational manner.
Similarly, the Bible uses parables (dramatized prose) to teach sensitive topics. Worthy of note is the parable of the trees in Judges 9. Jotham was the youngest of 70 sons and had just witnessed his brother Abimelech murder 68 of their brothers. Jotham's life was in danger, especially because Abimelech had already been crowned a de facto king. Jotham wished to declare that his brother Abimelech was unjust and unworthy of being king, and he used the parable of the trees in crafting a dramatic narration through which his message was conveyed in a nonconfrontational and instructive manner.
How does Victor’s Hope make a difference?
Ithemba Lomnqobi, launched in 2022, is a 15-minute radio programme broadcast in the isiZulu language with culturally relevant content to instruct and empower caregivers of maltreated children. Ithemba Lomnqobi is featured weekly on Highway Radio, on Tuesdays at 21h30, which reaches KwaZulu-Natal, the biggest province in South Africa, with 61 municipalities. Its dramatic storylines address pertinent topics like abuse, grief and pain.
Petros Gwala is a TWR ministries project manager and the producer of Ithemba Lomnqobi. He provided further insight into the great need this radio programme fulfils. He stated that this radio programme is specifically geared towards caregivers in rural areas who can only sometimes access information and resources more readily available in urban areas. He also pointed out that the COVID pandemic period saw exacerbated abuse cases, and with churches and other resource buildings closed due to shutdown, Ithemba Lomnqobi began bridging the resource availability gap from its inception in 2022.
Challenges and future direction
The Ithemba Lomnqobi radio programme is still growing and needs the engagement of more field workers as well as more equipment to facilitate production. In addition, Gwala shared that, in the future, the radio programme plans to feature testimonies of surviving victors who have gallantly overcome the effects of abuse. Through this radio programme, TWR has great plans to increase reach and production, depending on radio airtime, as negotiations are needed to keep the programme on the air.
The effort to continue to reach the rising victors and their caregivers with a message of hope, even in remote areas, through the power of radio broadcasts welcomes financial partners. Donations would go towards acquiring equipment, negotiating airtime and developing informational pamphlets to facilitate awareness and skill acquisition for caregivers who support these affected children.
I want to champion the victors!
Please use the following banking details:
Trans World Radio Africa
Standard Bank | Account: 01 193 294 5
Branch: 051 001
Ref ‘Victor’s Hope’
I need prayer
Please send a message to:
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp/Signal +27 72 641 4475
[1] WHO Child Maltreatment Fact Sheet (2022) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/child-maltreatment
[2] UNICEF Crime statistics (2023) https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/press-releases/crime-statistics-devastating-violence-against-children-and-women-continues
"Thank you very much for the Woman of Hope program. I just listened to it, and it helped me so much. I wanted to kill my...
The vast continent of Africa is home to nearly 2,500 ethnic groups, and many of them are Muslims. Throughout the rural settings...
Did you know that in Nigeria, more believers are killed for their faith each year than anywhere else in the world? In some...
During the global pandemic, people have begun reading the Bible and searching for God as never before, and TWR has stepped up...
Radio is a lifeline in Africa. It provides hope in many hopeless situations. For 50 years, TWR has been broadcasting hope in...
The main electricity supplier in South Africa has been implementing rolling power cuts, called load shedding, to various areas...
Nigeria is home to one of the largest Christian populations in Africa, but paradoxically, it is also one of the most persecuted...
The Horn of Africa comprises countries along the east coast of the continent, such as Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia....
Bring the hope of Jesus to women WORLDWIDE! Gifts doubled in impact during our $46,000 Challenge Gift opportunity!
TWR MOTION tells God's story through animated videos, believing people of all cultures deserve to hear about Jesus in a way...
The Way of Righteousness is a radio program that is expanding rapidly around the TWR world because of its proven ability to...
Because of TWR’s vast coverage area — made possible through high-power radio broadcasts, internet streaming, and other digital...
Bring the hope of Jesus to women WORLDWIDE! Gifts doubled in impact during our $46,000 Challenge Gift opportunity!
A trafficked or sexually exploited woman is often hidden in plain sight. A different story can become her reality, but who will...
All around the world, women in countless countries are suffering in ways that create unique hardships for them. Oppressed and...
Dr. Luke is an evangelistic health and hygiene program written by a Christian doctor who brings a biblical perspective to...
TWR360.org is the world’s premier online tool for accessing Christian media resources in over 140 languages – and growing. The...
Women in some cultures are not usually taught that they are precious to God or viewed as equal to men. We want to share with...
Can't find what you're looking for or a role that fits you? Let us know about your interests and skills and we'll help you do...
Aid the station director and leadership team with administrative tasks!
Come and help the TWR Africa transmitter site team with their existing property and community development plan/stewardship...
Come help maintain our equipment to ensure the continued production of high quality FM radio programs!
Play an active role in our commitment to being good stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us!
Put your engineering skills to work at TWR's transmitter site, broadcasting to millions every day!
Speak hope on air to millions (literally!)
Come and tell the story of TWR's part in God's global redemptive work!
Facilitate our radio broadcasts to the world through enabling machinery to function at its best!
Can't find what you're looking for or a role that fits you? Let us know about your interests and skills and we'll help you do...
Be a part of the global mission field while using your gifts in accounting and finance!
Aid our IT department with administrative tasks!
Use your knowledge about the people of Afghanistan to bring the good news to this hard-pressed people group!
Work with an international team to record, edit and produce media content for global distribution.
Analyze audience responses to help improve our ministry to the unreached!
Connect churches’ global outreach calling to TWR’s international media ministry!
Use your graphic design skills to further the Great Commission!
Assist with renovation and repair projects at our office and lodge facilities!
Anthony and Karen serve in our Africa Region office, in Kempton Park, South Africa. They joined TWR on December 1st, 2001, and...
The Burnetts are a South African family and have been with TWR since 1982, serving in the Africa region. They spent 12 years in...
Greg was called to missions at a young age and responded by joining TWR in 1995 after completing an electronics technician...
The Dunlops, from High River, Alberta, have a heart for missions and are excited to continue to serve with TWR. Nathan has a...
The Schieles have been with TWR since 1992, beginning in the Swaziland office. Having spent a few years in the Cary, N.C....
Steve joined TWR Swaziland in May 1977 as an electrical engineer. In 1978 he met Lorraine. They returned together to...
Tyler and Beverly are excited to partner with TWR in service at the Eswatini transmitting station.
Zavier is following the Lord's leading and using his skills in mechanical engineering to serve the people of West Africa.
Grace will be using her engineering skills this summer to help reach the people of West Africa for Christ.
Joe Barker was born in Canada and grew up as a pastor’s son in Canada, the U.S. and the Bahamas before studying communications...
Lonnie joined TWR in September 2017. He is the author of Every Man A Warrior, a men’s ministry discipleship curriculum that has...
Harry and Eileen have collectively served with TWR on Guam, in the Netherlands and now from within the U.S.
After serving in Austria and Cyprus, Laura serves as Assistant Caretaker of the TWR Lodge welcoming staff and guests visiting...
Tyler and Jennifer relocated from Oregon to serve with TWR in North Carolina. Tyler is the Vice President of Digital Ministry.
The Detwilers have been with TWR since September 1982 serving in Eswatini (Swaziland), Monaco, the Netherlands and the U.S....
For the past four decades, God has taken Jon and Noonie on a journey serving in Christian media.
Hi, I'm Kelly! After I graduated from Cedarville University with a degree in Broadcasting and Digital Media, I served as a...
