Schools cultural initiative aimed at reviving the art of storytelling

Actress, author and life coachAndrea Dondolois on a mission to help young Xhosa pupils reconnect with their heritage through storytelling, poetry and dialogue. Through hercultural initiative, Inkumbulo Zokhokho (Memories of the Ancestors), Dondolo and her team are presenting workshops at schools across the Eastern Cape aimed at reviving African storytelling traditions and encouraging young people to explore their cultural identity. The programme focuses on pupils aged between 12 and 15 from both primary and high schools.

Over the next two weeks, facilitators will visit eight schools in the Enoch Mgijima and Amahlathi local municipality areas. Schools taking part in the programme include Mpendulo Primary in Komani, Nompumelelo High in Sada, Cathcart High, Rhabula Senior Secondary in Keiskammahoek, Kubusie Combined School in Stutterheim, Kopano High and Chief Malefane Primary in Mitford and Cenyu Primary in Stutterheim. Project manager Mavo Jokazi said the initiative was designed to reach communities that were often overlooked when it came to arts and cultural development.

“This project is about giving young people in those areas a platform to express themselves and reconnect with their culture,” Jokazi said. The project is funded by the National Arts Council of South Africa through the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, which supports creative initiatives across the country. We help them write their own poems and stories, and we encourage them to talk about issues that affect their communities Jokazi said the workshops combined mentoring, facilitation and live performances to build confidence among pupils.

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“What we do is go to these schools and mentor the pupils in drama and public speaking,” he said. “We help them write their own poems and stories, and we encourage them to talk about issues that affect their communities.” Each participating school hosts a full-day session that includes writing exercises, discussions and a showcase of the pupils’ work.

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