By Alvin Makunike
Cape Town, South Africa (UMNews)
Key points:
- When writing a story, one needs to be very relevant and have supporting facts.
- Through question and answer session, trainees had the opportunity to dialogue with Bishop Nhanala
- Thirteen participants from five districts trained as communicators in South Africa
The South Africa Annual Conference (SAAC) Communications training was held from 6 to 8 July 2022. A total number of thirteen participants selected from five districts of the Annual Conference attended at Century City Hotel whereby a delegation of seven professional trainers from UMCom from USA came to train on various topics in communications.
The training was also graced by members of the clergy including Bishop Joaquina Filipe Nhanala, South Africa Annual Conference Bishop, Rev Gary Henderson, UMCom Relations, Rev Tafadzwa Mudambanuki, UMCom Relations and Rev Maureen Figlan, Cape Coastal District Superintendent.
“After being appointed by Bishop Nhanala as director of communications my greatest task was to come up with a team that will tell stories of the United Methodist Church in South Africa,” said Alvin Makunike, Director of Communications.
‘’The bishop told me about her interest in having youths make part of the team,’’ continued Alvin Makunike.
“Planning of this successful training didn’t come easy for me since it was my first time to organize such an event,” said Alvin Makunike, Director of Communications.
The team required training and equipment for them to start working, UMCom was approached with the help of Rev Tafadzwa Mudambanuki for the team to come train and equip communicators in South Africa.
‘’During training a wide range of communications areas was covered, these included; Essential Concepts of Storytelling, Communications Photography, Social Media Ministry, Mapping and UMConnect,’’ said Julie Dwyer, UM News Editor.
Julie encouraged participants to have their facts and sources verified before publishing a story “When writing a story, one needs to be very relevant and have supporting facts.”
“Provide context, if say you know something is true, show how true it is, report in a fair and balanced way, and include all sides in your story.”
The training was also a great opportunity for participants to meet and interact with the Bishop face to face, this brought joy and excitement to them. During her keynote address to participants, Bishop Nhanala said, “In our village where I come from, whenever there is death, the message is communicated by beating a drum….the rhythm of the drum is played in such a way that villagers will know whether it is a funeral or a wedding,’’
‘’As communicators, you need to be able to tell a story that can make the church and community easy to read and follow,’’
Participants were also awarded a question-and-answer session with the Bishop. Tapiwa Bopoto, Cape Coastal Communicator posed a question to the Bishop, “How is the United Methodist Church in South Africa helping communities or members to address challenges such as floods in Durban and economic challenges.”
UMCom team issued equipment to participants for them to use after training in their Districts, these were Asus Chrome books and Samsung A53 5G cell phones.
“These advanced gadgets given to you belong to the conference and must be used for conference activities only,’’ said Rev Maureen Figlan, Cape Coastal District Superintendent.
‘’The contracts you all signed must be adhered to and proper usage of equipment to follow as per clauses of the contract,’’ reiterated Rev Maureen Figlan, Cape Coastal District Superintendent.
Rev Joao Sambo, Admin Assistant to the Bishop, Mozambique Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church, had this to say, “My hope is that those trained in Cape Town will use the skills and equipment they have received for God’s honor and glory.”
Bishop Nhanala concluded her keynote address by encouraging communicators when she said, “But I want to say to you young people, don’t be afraid and discouraged, go back to your districts and play those drums well, and blow the horns that you have been given, this will contribute to the growth of our church.”