Two unique storytelling series in isiXhosa and Afrikaans, designed to educate, uplift and instil traditional values in children. Filmed in the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape of South Africa, the series was produced by the African ACES Trust, with funding assistance from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and the National Heritage Council (NHC).
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African Art Group
AfricanArtGroup.org is a non-profit initiative administered by African ACES, promoting the talents and artwork of selected African artists through a virtual platform dedicated to a celebration of Africa through visual art.
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Namastap
In development. The Cape West Coast and Namaqualand is one of the most scenic areas of South Africa, but also one of the most economically challenged, with massive unemployment but huge potential in terms of heritage tourism. The Namastap heritage tourism initiative aims to assist communities in providing authentic local tourism experiences through promotion of the culture, heritage and natural beauty of the region via a dedicated Namastap on-line platform, video and social media. Research funding provided by the National Lotteries Commission.
In Development
Stories are about life and how it is lived. Humanity has no better or greater manner of humanizing its members than through stories. These are our most precious legacy, for we are the stories we tell.
Our country needs storytellers, for it desperately needs stories. No African can say they don’t know about these types of tales because they have been told for eons. When these tales are told, everybody listens, both the young and the old. It was an enjoyable time and people laughed.
Tales are lovely, they entertain. But there was something else to them, a bigger reason. There was no child who was not told these tales if you wanted to teach them respect and manners. These tales were an integral part of educating young Xhosa kids, teaching them Ubuntu and etiquette.
They taught what a person was permitted to do. They taught what was expected of a person.This means these tales are a way of raising kids, and teach them their cultural identity. The child grows up knowing the pillars and regulations of his community, and how to live with others.
Tales are also a way of reminding adults about values. It is a teaching tool and a reminder. That is the role of these stories.
With a major arts and culture grant from the National Lotteries Commission and assistance from the National Heritage Council, African ACES Trust has produced two 13-part storytelling series for children in isiXhosa and Afrikaans, as well as an introductory documentary on storytelling.
The 30 minute documentary “Kwathi ke kaloku… Behind the Stories” (English dialogue) features storytellers on location in the Eastern Cape, who aim to reawaken love of storytelling; educate the public on the immense value of stories; and impart skills and techniques to aspiring or closet storytellers
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“Kwathi ke kaloku ngantsomi” is a series of 24 minute programmes presented by Sindiwe Magona comprised of thirteen episodes, each running several stories. A variety of storytellers from the Eastern Cape tell folktales, both traditional and modern, which delight ‘listeners’ young and old. A programme either works around a theme or touches on certain of life’s well-trod paths. However, the essence of storytelling, fun or enjoyment, abounds throughout. This series will no doubt delight its audience.
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The traditional storytelling television series “So /hôro ons Saam” (Nama: We listen together) is filmed in the Ratelgat Heritage Area of the West Coast of South Africa in the heart of Namaqualand, as well as in Garies and the floral region of Springbok in the Northern Cape. The programmes are presented by different storytellers from the various regions who share their interesting stories with children of the new generation. These are stories told to them by their ancestors at night around a campfire. The series promises to teach young and old a lot about the Griqua as well as the Nama people’s cultural heritage, principle values and music. You can expect unique, indigenous campfire stories told by renowned storytellers of the regions.
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African Art Group.org is a non-profit initiative dedicated to promoting the talents and artwork of selected African Artists through a virtual platform dedicated to a celebration and preservation of Africa and African heritage through visual art.
This artist-friendly platform is dedicated to championing established and new talent in an accessible, inclusive and transparent approach making sure that artists are getting their fair share of recognition across the continent and beyond.
This platform combines artists from diverse cultures and regions on a single portal managed by African ACES – the African Arts, Culture, Education & Sports Trust, a registered NPO.African Art Group aims to become the first and most important not-for-profit art platform for Southern African cultural artists and is striving to be a significant generator of income and resources to rural and urban cultural artists across the continent. Initial funding for this project has been provided with the assistance of the National Arts Council.
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