Fresh. Fast-paced. High-energy. Interactive. Innovative. These are just a few of the descriptions that quickly come to mind for Up Front, VOA’s newest radio show for Africa. Curious about what young adults around Africa see as the latest lifestyle trends? Or consider “hot”? Want to know what everyone’s concerned about? Well, tune in or listen online each week, as co-hosts Jackson Mvunganyi in Washington, D.C., and Nadia Samie in Cape Town, South Africa, lay it out for you.

“Young adults in Africa are eager to learn about what’s going on socially, professionally, and politically with other young adults around the world,” says VOA’s Mvunganyi. “We’re happy to provide them with a place to do that.”

He should know – he’s one of them. Born in Rwanda, Jackson’s worked in both radio and television in Africa and the United States, and he keeps in touch with African communities in the Diaspora through volunteer work. His co-host, Nadia Samie, is based at VOA’s Cape Town affiliate station Bush Radio, where her work keeps her in close touch with local youth. “Young people these days want very much to be involved, to express their thoughts and experiences,” she says. “It is invigorating to create this unique forum to bring them together on Up Front.”

You can find more information about Up Front and all our English radio programs for Africa on page 4, and on our web page www.VOAafrica.com. Up Front also has its own page, at www.VOANews.com/english/africa/upfront.cfm.