The City of Cape Town’s Library Services and the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports Department aim to bridge the generational gap between Khayelistha’s senior citizens and young people through storytelling.
The programme aims to promote and preserve the importance of storytelling.
It teaches young people the importance of getting off their phones and engaging in storytelling and it teaches the seniors to be more aware of the digital world.
Programme facilitator, Nolubabalo Rani, who conducted a storytelling workshop at the Kuyasa library on Friday February 28, created an engaging environment where old and young were divided in groups and involved in dance, singing and storytelling.
“This event is to teach both seniors and the younger generation the importance of storytelling. Intsomi, which means storytelling, was an important part of family time in our days where at night, every child in the house would gather around and listen to the grandmother or mother telling the story,” she said.
“This will encourage young people, especially those who are here today to learn more about storytelling, and stop looking down on it”.
Vela Mute, 22, who was one of the young people in the programme, said young people had abandoned the ways their ancestors used to do things.
“I advise that all young people attend such events so that we may be more informed about the importance of our tradition and culture.
Speaking about the importance of the programme, Lulama Langeni , who is the principal librarian at Kuyasa library said this programme would help young people to understand their culture and where they come from.
“This is a great workshop for our young people, it will help them learn about our history and how things are done in the black community,” she said.