The Brief
UNOMANZI
Water is a natural resource that is essential for human survival. Yet, human access to water has always been a contested issue. The advent of the challenge of climate change consistently forces human beings to reconsider their perceptions on water. Mhlathuze Water commissioned Igunundu Agency to run an awareness campaign which includes publicity and reputation management, citizen education through native marketing, social media, newspapers and Inkundla Yabantu sessions.
Brand Awareness in Rural Communities
To actively support Mhlathuze Water in their expansive citizen education initiative, focusing on critical topics such as water management, decision-making processes, and the practical aspects of water governance and policy implementation.
- Holistic Citizen Education: Our approach is centred on delivering comprehensive education to citizens, empowering them with knowledge about water-related issues. This includes elucidating the intricacies of decision-making processes and the practicalities surrounding water governance and policy.
- Strategic Messaging: Crafting clear and compelling messages forms the backbone of our strategy. We ensure that information is accessible and resonates with the diverse demographics within the community. The goal is to make complex topics understandable, fostering an informed citizenry.
- Multi-Platform Engagement: Leveraging a variety of communication channels, from traditional media to digital platforms, ensures widespread reach. Through strategic content distribution, we aim to create an immersive educational experience that accommodates different learning preferences.
- Interactive Learning Modules: Developing interactive modules facilitates hands-on learning. We incorporate engaging content, quizzes, and multimedia elements to make the educational process dynamic and memorable, promoting better retention of information.
- Climate Change Integration: A core aspect of our initiative is to elucidate the synergies and trade-offs between climate change and water management. By illustrating these connections, we foster a deeper understanding of the broader environmental context, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices.
- Community Workshops and Events: In-person engagements are invaluable. We organize workshops and events tailored to the community’s needs, allowing direct interaction. This approach creates a conducive environment for questions, discussions, and a more personalized learning experience.
- Creation of UNomanzi: Our creative team successfully conceptualized and brought to life UNomanzi, an official mascot embodying a water-wise rural woman. UNomanzi serves as a compelling character, actively engaging with her water community to impart crucial insights on water management. She encourages community members to play a role in decision-making and the implementation of water governance and policies.
- Podcast Production and Launch: The UNomanzi podcast, featuring the mascot as the central communicator, was produced in-house. On the launch day, the podcast was disseminated on seven prominent platforms, both locally and internationally. These platforms include Anchor FM, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket Podcasts, Radio Public, Spotify, and Bayede News Radio.
- Broadcast on Nongoma FM: In addition to the podcast release, an hour-long program, mirroring the podcast content, was broadcasted on Nongoma FM. This strategic partnership broadened the reach of UNomanzi’s message, tapping into a diverse audience through traditional radio channels.
