The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg, and the South African Podcasting Guild (SAPG) are excited to announce an open call for applications running from 29 April to 23 May for Sound Waves: Podcast Training for Audiovisual Professionals a unique, in-person training programme aimed at early to mid-career audiovisual creators from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi.
Taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 7 to 11 July 2025, the five-day training programme will equip 12 selected participants with the creative and technical skills to harness the power of podcasting for storytelling, advocacy, and community engagement.
The programme is supported by Institut français in Paris and the German Federal Foreign Office through the French-German Cultural Fund, a joint initiative of the French and German governments promoting cultural cooperation in third countries. The training features contributions from international podcasting and audio experts Claire Richard (France), Philip Artelt (Germany), and Dina Elsayed (Germany), alongside leading South African podcast experts, including Paulo Dias, and members of the South African Podcasting Guild. Participants will engage in a dynamic mix of sound-focused workshops, podcast production training (including scriptwriting, legal and ethical frameworks, and distribution), live recording sessions, studio visits, and public discussions – all designed to foster professional growth and amplify underrepresented voices in the podcasting landscape.
“This programme reflects our commitment to supporting cultural professionals across Southern Africa through practical training and regional collaboration. Podcasting offers a flexible, accessible format for telling stories that matter — and Sound Waves is about building the skills and networks that make that possible,” – says Emmanuelle Denavit-Feller, Regional Head of New Media, Film & Television at IFAS.
“Sound Waves is a platform for amplifying diverse voices and fostering innovation in storytelling. By equipping cultural professionals with essential tools and knowledge, we are creating opportunities to explore impactful and engaging podcasting in Southern Africa,” Nesa Fröhlich, Goethe’s Head of Information Services in Sub-Saharan Africa, said.
“Podcasting has the power to inform, entertain, and shift perspectives — but only if we invest in the people behind the mic. Sound Waves is an investment in creators who will bring new narratives to life, and SAPG is honoured to be part of that journey.” – Paulo Dias, Head of Industry Relations, South African Podcasting Guild.
Who should apply:
Applications are invited from audiovisual professionals and emerging creators who are based in South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi.
Professionals who are passionate about podcasting and audio storytelling, especially women and those working with underrepresented communities, are encouraged to submit applications. Applicants must be available to attend the full training in Johannesburg. Selected participants from outside Johannesburg will have their travel and accommodation covered for the duration of the programme.
How to apply:
Applications will be accepted VIA THIS ONLINE FORM from 29 April to 23 May or once 150 complete applications have been received. A special information webinar will take place on 6 May 2025 at 10h00 (SAST) for interested participants, outlining everything one needs to know about applying for the Sound Waves Lab.
Info Webinar: Everything you need to know
Date: 8 May 2025
Time: 10:00 SAST
Location: Online | Free | 1 hour
Curious about the programme? Join us for a live session where we’ll walk you through the lab, what makes a strong application, and answer your questions. Perfect for emerging podcasters, filmmakers interested in audio, or anyone keen on civic audio storytelling.
Topics include:
- What is Sound Waves and who should apply
- What happens during the 5-day training
- How to submit a standout application
- Q&A with organisers
Register for the webinar HERE
Meet the experts
Paulo Dias and the South African Podcasting Guild (South Africa in-person & online experts)
Paulo Dias is a leading podcast strategist, producer, and thought leader in the South African audio landscape. After a successful career in radio, he pivoted to podcasting, where he consults widely with media agencies and broadcasters, and contributes to publications like MarkLives and The Financial Mail’s Redzone. He leads training initiatives such as Podcast Inspiration Days and is a course contributor at The Media Academy. Paulo is also a founding member of the South African Podcasters Guild (SAPG), a network of over 350 audio professionals dedicated to growing and professionalising the industry. As part of this programme, Paulo will lead local insight sessions and draw on SAPG’s broad expertise to bring in additional South African practitioners to support the training.
Claire Richard (France – in-person expert)
Claire Richard is an author and documentary filmmaker for radio and print. Her work explores the intimate intersections between politics, digital cultures, and collective action. Her podcasting journey began by chance in 2013—and has soared ever since. She writes radio dramas (Alice et Hadrien, La Dernière Nuit d’Anne Bonny, and Les Chemins de désir) for Arte Radio and France Culture, and produces documentary podcasts for Arte Radio, France Culture, and Binge. Her radio work has received national and international recognition, with honors such as the Prix fiction radio Télérama, Prix Italia, Prix Europa, Grand Prix de l’écriture radiophonique de la SGDL, Prix fiction SACD Paris Podcast Festival, and the Prix Nouveau Talent radio SACD. She has published two literary accounts with Le Seuil, Des Mains Heureuses (2023) and Les Chemins de désir (2019), as well as books on activist groups and initiatives (La santé communautaire, Technopolice, published by Editions 369 and Young Lords, published by Editions de l’Echappée).
Image credit: Chloe Assous Plunian, Arte Radio
Philip Artelt (Germany – in-person expert)
It’s often said that geographers are the last true experts in seeing the bigger picture—and that’s exactly what drew Philip Artelt to the field. With journalism already in mind, he studied Geography to better understand the interconnectedness of the world. His career has since spanned multiple European countries, where he has worked as a reporter and multilingual journalist, primarily in radio. Today, Philip covers science and education across radio, television, and digital platforms as part of the trimedial reporting team at Germany’s public broadcaster ARD, with a particular focus on radio. When time and creative space allow, he produces in-depth radio features and writes about the world of (short) films. He is also passionate about mentoring the next generation of journalists, regularly training aspiring radio professionals in Germany.
Dina Elsayed (Germany – online expert)
Dina Elsayed is a seasoned podcast producer based in Berlin with a journalism origin story, a background film production, and a knack for creating standout audio content. Her work has landed on NPR, RBB, and the Goethe Institute’s Zeitgeister. Now as Original Content Manager at Audible, she aims to develop, produce and release the next wave of must-listen podcasts.
More experts to be announced soon!
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