Noluyolo (Yolie) Ngomani – Senior Content Producer, RX Radio, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital

“I’ve always been awed by the indisputable power of media to tell stories and influence society, so I have always wanted to tell stories. I’ve always known that this would be my road.”

Noluyolo (Yolie as she likes to be called) Ngomani is the Senior Content Producer at RX Radio, the first radio station globally that is run by children for children in hospital. The station produces live and pre-recorded footage that is streamed online as well as shown on TVs at the beds of the children in the Hospital.

Ms Ngomani has a Master’s Degree in Media Theory and Practice from University of Cape Town (UCT) and has been with RX Radio since its launch over a year ago.  She believes that her the job chose her rather than her choosing the position. When she finished her Master’s Degree, which focused on young people’s radio listening habits, RX Radio was just so relevant and connected to what she wants to achieve.  “My interest in radio is one of the reasons why I got the position. One thing that really stands out for me is that once I became part of the project it felt like something I was meant to do, which is using radio to connect, inform and empower.

The most beautiful thing is witnessing the use of the medium to empower and give voice to children and young people whose voices did not previously carry as much weight, as they spoke as individuals and not through the mic… now they stand as a collective and are using the medium for sharing their personal experiences.”

She believes that healthcare in South Africa, especially quality healthcare, is becoming more and more unobtainable for struggling people, who are the ones who need it the most.  This affects the young people we work with as some of them were misdiagnosed at some point or the facilities were inadequate before coming to Red Cross Children’s Hospital, which for some patients, has led to irreversible damage.

“RX Radio is a concept that needs not only to be invested in monetarily, but it needs to be nurtured and embraced as an initiative to a group that really needs to be given back to, that needs to be made visible, that needs to be heard and not just left behind in hospitals but to be integrated. This initiative gives them a chance to interact, exchange ideas, deal with fears and be hopeful. For instance, we currently lost one of our reporters, looking at her radio diary, and her interactions with her peers I am very happy that there was a platform that afforded her a chance to be part of a group and for a moment engage in talking about something besides her illness. Thus, it’s a way to make the young people know that they are not alone, and they are not their illnesses but young people with stories and aspirations just like other young people.”

“There’s a lot that I still want to do as far as telling stories is concerned, I’m also very passionate about documentaries. At some point, I’d love to experiment with the visual form to continue telling stories, especially those of the chronically ill. And through RX Radio I’ve thoroughly enjoyed using visuals to tell a story.  One feature that allows for that for me is the radio diaries which are one of my utmost favourite things to do.”

“The most beautiful thing is witnessing the use of radio to empower and give voice to children and young people whose voices did not previously carry as much weight.”

Noluyolo (Yolie) Ngomani

Master’s in Media Theory and Practice (UCT)

Senior Content Producer, RX Radio, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital