7 Alexandra writers prepare to launch community anthology
Tired of outsiders telling township stories, two project coordinators rallied local youngsters to put their own experiences into print.
Seven Alexandra writers have penned a new anthology, ‘From Gomora to the World’, offering readers a glimpse into life in their community through their own eyes.
The book is authored by Amogelang Kganyago, Anita Maloka, Jabulisile Cele, Michelle Dolwana, Fiona Mogane, Neo Melane and Mokgadi Monyela.
Bridging the township narrative gap
Phelelisa Somana, who coordinated the project, said books have long lacked stories that capture the lived experiences of people growing up in townships, despite many South Africans living there.
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“These stories are an important part of understanding the country and the different realities that shape it.”
Somana said the authors writing about townships are often visitors, researchers or outsiders who come in to observe and document township life.
What has been missing, Somana added, are stories told by the people of the townships themselves.
“While those perspectives [of outsiders] have value, there is something different about hearing directly from the people who live there,” Somana said.
That difference, for Somana, lies in the authenticity of children telling their own stories in their own voices. “I think it is important that children from Alexandra get to see themselves and their communities represented in the books they read,” said Somana.
Unlocking community greatness
Wandile Mathe, who also coordinated the project, said it grew out of a belief that there is greatness in Alexandra that often goes overlooked.
That belief is what led them to rally the children behind the idea of writing their own book.
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Mathe said the children embraced it with ease. “Every child went wild with their dreams. They showed us that amid adversity, as long as you are passionate, dream big and put in the work, the world has so much more to offer you.”
Mathe said the stories show that the children see their world in colour, and that there is an innocence in the way they approach it and the people in it.
“Children are hopeful and understand that everything in their world is set to work for them. They understand the power of dreaming hard and putting in the work,” Mathe said.
The book is set to be launched at the Kwabhekilanga Sports Ground on November 14 at 09:00.
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