[Image: The Africa We Don’t See on Tv / Facebook]
The Bo-Kaap Museum became a living archive of memory and culture on Tuesday with the launch of ALMAL se Stoepstories, an oral storytelling initiative that brings community narratives to life in an authentic and engaging way.
Spearheaded by the Archives, Library Service, Museums and Heritage, Arts, and Language Services (ALMAL), this cultural and heritage project aims to preserve the richness of oral histories and ensure that our diverse stories are not forgotten but passed down through generations.
In a symbolic and heartfelt stoep setup, local storytellers from the Bo-Kaap community were given the platform to share their lived experiences, memories, and reflections with both the audience and the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, who was in attendance.
These powerful voices resonated with themes of resilience, identity, and shared heritage.
Minister Mackenzie, in his keynote address, stressed the significance of keeping these stories alive, “These stories must be passed from one generation to the next. If we do not tell them, they risk fading into silence.”
The event was made even more memorable with a captivating performance by ‘Keep the Dream’ Malay Choir, whose harmonious melodies paid homage to the spirit of the Bo-Kaap and its vibrant cultural roots.
ALMAL se Stoepstories is a reminder that our stories matter. We each carry a piece of history that must be told. Let us honour our heritage by sharing our stories on stoops, in homes, at schools, and in every space we gather so that they live on and never die.
[Source: Westerncape.gov]
