News24 supports teen’s mission to make a difference
Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) awards a GLAD[1] to News24 for its uplifting and ethical reporting on children. The article, “Teen chooses Robben Island Escape swim for school project – and raises R26k for hope” (05/05/2025) written by Aphelele Mbokotho is recognised for responsibly accessing and portraying 17-year-old Luca Amerseder in a story that highlights personal achievement, acts of service in the community and youth activism.
A Grade 11 student named Luca took on the challenging 8km Robben Island Escape swim for his school project, even though he wasn’t a swimmer before. He trained hard to prepare for this difficult open-water swim. While doing the project, Luca also raised more than R26,000 for Genesis Hope South Africa, a healthcare and social support organization that made a strong impression on him during a school camp earlier in 2024.
News24 accesses Luca throughout the article, quoting him extensively and allowing his motivations, fears, reflections, and values to drive the story. This is a model example of upholding Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)[2], which recognises every child’s right to express their views freely in matters affecting them, with those views given due weight.
The article also includes a respectful photo of Luca that fits the story and supports his public fundraising effort. It features input from his mother and someone from Genesis Hope, adding helpful adult perspectives without taking the focus away from Luca. This shows a good mix of voices and reflects the kind of responsible reporting that MMA encourages through its DRIVE principles.
By focusing on Luca’s dedication to helping others and his personal growth, rather than making the story sensational, News24 respects his dignity and privacy. This kind of reporting puts children first, which is in line with Section 28(2) of the South African Constitution[3] and Article 16 of the UNCRC[4].
MMA celebrates News24 for portraying children as active agents of change and calls on all media to continue producing stories that honour children’s voices and experiences in a way that informs, uplifts, and protects.
Written By Keamogetswe Sere
Edited by Ntombifuthi Kubeka
[1] GLAD: A recognition by Media Monitoring Africa for media stories that report on children in a responsible, ethical, and rights-respecting manner, protecting their identity and dignity in line with legal and human rights standards.
[2] Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC): Recognises the right of children to express their views freely in all matters affecting them, and for those views to be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity. South Africa ratified the UNCRC in 1995.
[3] ] Section 28(2) of the South African Constitution: “A child’s best interests are of paramount importance in every matter concerning the child.” Available at: https://www.justice.gov.za/constitution/chp02.html
[4] Article 16 of the UNCRC: Protects children from arbitrary or unlawful interference with their privacy, family, home or correspondence, and from unlawful attacks on their honour and reputation.