Arising from the television series there are over 8 000 Soul Buddyz Clubs spread throughout the country, with over 160 000 children between the ages of 8 and 14 participating.

According to Programme Director of Soul City: Institute for Health and Development Communication, Sue Goldstein the clubs are mainly based in schools within rural and semi-rural areas, with a significant number located within townships.

Goldstein further explains that the principle of child participation has been embedded in the Soul Buddyz Club’s development process from the onset. Soul Buddyz Club is for children, about children and by children and is committed to promoting the rights, responsibilities and potential of all children.

An unfortunate incident recently took place at a School, in Mayfair Johannesburg where an unknown man pretended to be a representative from Soul Buddyz claiming to be organizing the filming of the next Soul Buddyz series at the school. The man engaged two teachers at the school under false pretense requesting to recruit a learner to participate as an extra during the fabricated filming of the Soul Buddyz series. He subsequently robbed the child and his family.

“We would like to urge all schools and pupils to be vigilant of such scams,” warns Goldstein. She continues, “The filming of Soul Buddyz is handled in a formal process which includes acquiring written permission from the school, auditioning and contracting the cast for the shoot. Filming of the next Soul Buddyz series is not scheduled and will not take place during the year 2012.

“An extensive database about the Soul Buddyz Clubs, including names and addresses of facilitators and names of children, is kept for monitoring at the Soul City: Institute for Health and Development Communication,” says Goldstein.

Should your school be approached by an unknown representative please contact Nelisiwe Hlophe at Soul City: Institute for Health and Development Communication on +2711 771 7942.