Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in May 2018 undergraduate student Brittany Fried interviewed Stavus Moyo, a Zambian journalist and media participant at the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR). In this interview, Moyo discusses his attendance at the JCTR community sensitization workshop and subsequent production of several news stories and a documentary about civic education.

How are you involved with the JCTR?

I’m involved in educating and informing the community through radio programs and news.

How did you first get involved in JCTR?

It was starting in 2013, when they were having workshop on community sensitization and civic education. Apparently my performance was appreciated; I did a number of news stories and a documentary. From that point, they said “We should be working with you, and you alone.”

Where was the documentary aired, and who saw it?

It was aired on our radio station. It was a 30-minute documentary on civic education.

Can you tell me more about the services you’ve seen JCTR provide in the community?

JCTR has been outstanding. For example, prior to the previous elections, we had a referendum on the Bill of Rights. As Zambia is a polarized country, there are regional politics. In this southern part, there was a lot of resistance to the Bill of Rights because this is an opposition stronghold. Nonetheless, JCTR was brave enough to get out into the communities and sensitize them that it’s about their rights. That was really outstanding because even if the referendum did not succeed, at least a lot of people had learned about their rights and the importance of the Bill of Rights.

How did they go about sensitizing people?

They used to go right into communities—particularly the rural parts of the district—like here in Monze. They would go to public meetings with communities and engage traditional and civic leaders. 

Can you tell me more about the civic education that you worked so much on with your news stories and the documentary?

It is an interesting area and an area in which JCTR has done very well. Particularly, we’ve had a number of workshops on the constitution. In Monze district [we’ve had] meetings, produced programs, and reached out to communities to sensitize them about the constitution.

So it’s led to local initiative on the project?

Exactly.

That sounds like a strength you have observed from JCTR work. Can you share some other strengths you’ve seen from JCTR programming?

From the time that JCTR has begun the programs in communities, I’ve seen a lot of awareness being raised so that people are able to respond to issues in their communities. People have been sensitized; they know a lot when it comes to rights and involving community leaders, particularly on matters related to development.

On the other side, do you see any challenges to the programming?

I think I’ll raise challenges on the part of radio programs. There hasn’t been consistency. However, I would love to see a situation where there is a predictable type of arrangement. Maybe every quarter JCTR will do five radio programs. I would love to see more of those programs, maybe quarterly. So I think that has been a challenge.

Could you share some of the positive impacts on yourself from participating in JCTR programming?

Participating in JCTR programming has given me the zeal to reach out more to communities because JCTR made me believe that information is power. Once people are empowered with information, they can even lead better lives because they will know what to demand; they will know the do’s and don’ts of life.

Has there been any impact on your personal faith development working with this faith-based organization?

Yes. This has drawn me closer to the Church. It has helped me to appreciate the Church's contributions towards bettering the lives of the people in communities.

Do you have any long-term goals for participating in JCTR programming?

One goal is advancing to a level where I’m able to make TV documentaries. Another goal would be to see a wider engagement with JCTR whereby it’s not just at district level. I'd [love to capture] a broader picture of responses from other communities on JCTR's impact. I would like to tell a story that’s not just confined to Monze—a much wider story.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about JCTR’s work or your involvement?

JCTR has been the only consistent civil society organization in Monte district so far. I believe that JCTR can even do more. Maybe they can come up with deliberate outreach programs on a monthly basis.