At the official launch of Deutsche Welle’s Under the Baobab programme in Africa, Channel One TV’s General Manager Bernard Avle reaffirmed the media partnership and its commitment to giving young people a platform to express their views and shape conversations about Africa’s future.
Avle, speaking before a gathering of media practitioners, diplomats, students, bloggers and businesspeople, said the programme reflected a shared commitment to strengthening democracy through independent and vibrant media.
“The oxygen for democracy is an independent, vibrant media,” he said. “Whether we are publicly funded or profit‑oriented, we are all focused on the public good.”
He highlighted that the partnership is rooted in shared values rather than mere mutual need, and that the future belongs to young people regardless of nationality or background.
“Whether you’re from South Africa, Lesotho, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Guinea, Sierra Leone, or born in America, we cannot deny the fact that the future belongs to young people,” Avle urged. “Don’t be intimidated. You don’t need a ticket to barge into the door; the door is already open.”
Avle explained the baobab as a symbol of knowledge, resilience and open dialogue, noting that the programme provides a space for diverse voices to exchange ideas as equals.
The launch drew a diverse audience, and Avle expressed gratitude to DW for choosing Channel One TV as its partner for the African edition of the show, hoping the partnership will continue to grow.
Looking ahead, the programme’s survival over its first year is seen as a testament to its resilience and its role as a platform for public discourse.
