Uplifting stories of hope to be showcased on SABC1

Uplifting stories of hope to be showcased on SABC1

Friday, 23 October 2009 14:17

Now kicking off its fifth annual season, the popular television series on social responsibility, Kaelo - Stories of Hope, has moved from SABC2 to SABC1 and will be broadcast from 12h30 -13h00 from 29 November 2009.

This move to SABC1 will result in more than 1.3 million people witnessing the incredible work being done in South Africa to drive sustainable social change on a weekly basis. The upcoming series also features a fresh format, with stories explored by field presenter, Siphiwe Hlabangane.

"We are delighted to be launching the series on SABC1 this year," says Sandile Koza, Managing Director of Kaelo Worldwide Media (KWM). "The channel provides us with a large audience demographic as well as the opportunity to profile positive, engaging stories to younger viewers. SABC1 also commands the highest viewership figures for any television station in the country over a seven-day week," adds Koza.

The 26 episode series, which is part of a multimedia campaign sponsored by Absa and MTN SA Foundation, first aired in 2005 and has since established a solid viewership base with a reach of 1,5 million across a broad demographic. Many of the projects and initiatives showcased over the past four years have reported heightened public interest, received increased funding and formed new partnerships as a result of being profiled on the series.

Koza says, "The real magic of Kaelo lies in the way the stories are told. The heart of the story is always told from the beneficiaries’ point of view - whether it’s an inspirational leader from an NGO, a community member who has decided to take a stand or a beneficiary whose life has radically changed as a result of the project. We make sure we uncover these heart-warming stories and tell them in a way that has meaning and makes a difference in the viewers’ lives."

The Kaelo - Stories of Hope multimedia platform includes a coffee table book, print inserts in national media, radio inserts and online features; providing unique and effective multimedia opportunities that increase awareness of social development initiatives to a broad stakeholder audience.

"The central message of Kaelo is that everyone can make a difference," says Koza. "We hope that by showcasing these stories on a multimedia platform that reaches a variety of audiences we can mobilise further investment, share best practices and facilitate the formation of further social partnerships."

The first episode of Kaelo-Stories of Hope will air on Sunday 29 November 2009 on SABC 1 from 12:30 to 1:00pm.