Pupils enjoy storytime with Dr Gcina Mhlophe
Author, actress, storyteller and poet, Dr Gcina Mhlophe treated over 150 pupils to a charismatic performance at iThembalabantu Primary School in Philippi last Tuesday.
Dr Mhlophe was at the school to encourage children to respect their culture and stressed the importance of education.
The teachers and pupils were excited to dance and sing with the famous storyteller, who said that a nation without culture is doomed and has no prospects of a bright future.
Dr Mhlophe said she seeks to preserve the craft of storytelling as a means of keeping history alive and encouraging children to read.
Dr Mhlophe said she started writing in high school at the age of 17. She was inspired to write for children after visiting a bookshop dedicated to children’s books and has travelled the world since 1985 to tell her stories.
Talking to Vukani, she said that communities had forgotten their roots and deviated from their culture and customs.
She described her visit to the school as an intervention.
She also requested the school library to have a story telling tree where stories can be told.
“It pains me to see our culture fading and heading for extinction. As a community, we have forgotten where we come from. Our children need to know about their culture. We need to teach them while they are young, and also about the importance of education. Without culture, the nation is doomed and has no bright future,” she said.
She said another problem is the lack of indigenous language books in the libraries. She said people have inherited the Western way of living, distancing themselves from where they come from. However, she said that should not apply to this generation.
“Children are the future leaders of our country. In the past, our children were using books that were imported and translated into South African languages. It was not the right thing to do, so I encouraged them to be proud of their culture. We have writers but are not sponsored,” she said.
Art and culture teacher, Thandi Swaartbooi, who arranged for Dr Mhlophe to come to the school, said she was happy to encourage pupils.
She said she has worked with Dr Mhlophe on many projects. “It is only through people like Dr Mhlophe that we grow as people. Her initiatives are the continuity of our roots, culture, customs and backgrounds. She has done a lot for the black child and our culture. She has popularised our culture, music, dances and encouraged the observance of our customs. She has not stopped doing that. That is why we invited her. I am happy to announce that she is coming back in September on a date to be announced,” said Ms Swaartbooi.
Ecstatic school principal Octavius Colquhoun described Dr Mhlophe’s visit as one of the most memorable events the school has had.
“She is a living example of making a career out of the art of storytelling. Our children will learn a lot, and her visit will encourage them to learn more about their culture,” he said.
The children enjoyed the event with Dr Mhlophe who told them: “As children, you need to be treated with love, compassion and respect.”
