There is a brand new radio station run by children for children at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital in Cape Town. It's called RX Radio and is one of the first children's hospital radio stations in Africa.
Child patients being involved in the production process is what makes the station unique, believes station manager, Dr. Gabriel Urgoiti.
"It involves patients as programme producers and broadcast presenters with the explicit aim of sharing and improving children's experiences of illness and hospital," explained Urgoiti in a statement.
Child patients often get lonely and anxious -- and through this platform, Urgoiti believes the stress will be alleviated and their hospital stay made a bit more pleasant.
"It gives some control to the children in what could otherwise feel quite a helpless situation. It also, quite literally, gives them a voice," said Louise Driver, the CEO of the Children's Hospital Trust. A voice to share their experiences, concerns and questions with their parents, doctors and nurses and other children.
The show line-up is pretty cool. There are music, travel and food shows and interviews with academics and celebrities.
Join Alex for a special Top10 broadcast LIVE from 12pm-2pm, dont miss an interview with CEO of @RCWMCH. [TUNE] in on https://t.co/ergtgeqUIUpic.twitter.com/VBV8pvvdNW
— RX Children's Radio (@RXRadioSA) July 21, 2017
I hope you enjoyed Zaahra's first show cause she definitely had a blast... join her on the econd edition of Zaahra's Kitchen on 12/8/7. pic.twitter.com/KdW53tMiu1
— RX Children's Radio (@RXRadioSA) July 29, 2017
The station went live in May and will be officially launched in October.
We wish these young broadcasters the best of luck.