Book showcasing the kindness of ordinary South Africans launched in Pretoria

A book that documents the stories of random acts of kindness written and experienced by ordinary South Africans since the coronavirus outbreak was launched on Friday in Hatfield.

The book, titled Archive of Kindness, includes stories that were sourced through a project started by Jessica Auerbach. The author tasked her students at the North West University to collect 50 stories about random acts of kindness from ordinary South Africans.

Auerbach said it felt important that the project be turned into a book because these stories reflected what was actually happening in the country, especially during such a difficult time. She said a lot of focus had been placed on the negative things that happened during the Covid-19 pandemic instead of the small positive things that took place every day.

“South Africa is a lovely country and everyday people help each other far more than what is actually reported,” she said.

Auerbach defined kindness as “being able to respond selflessly to a given situation”. She said the book highlighted the everyday stories that most people tend to overlook.

The book includes accounts from frontline healthcare workers, students who were stuck at dormitories, new parents and a homeless man whose life changed for the better.

Over 2 000 stories were collected to write the book. An online page was set up where people could submit their stories. Other stories were submitted by listeners on a radio station and the students’ assignments.

Auerbach also approached eight prominent South Africans to help select the stories included in the book. Each figure acted as a curator and had to select five stories out of the 20 stories they were given.

ALSO READ: United youngster continues to impress

The stories then had to be narrowed down to only 55, which were included in the book.

Out of 50 graphic designers who submitted their portfolios, a Malawian artist, Jethro Longwe was chosen to be the book’s illustrator.

He said that the book resonated with him because he too had once experienced kindness from someone who did not have to help him.

Longwe had to read every story chosen and find a way to retell each story through his illustrations.

When asked what he thought of the final copy, Longwe said “it is more than I imagined”.

He was touched by the stories and felt the best approach would be to illustrate the stories in a way that would touch the reader too.

Longwe said that he had to do a lot of research to perfectly illustrate each story. He also wanted to make sure that he accurately depicted South Africa through his designs.

Auerbach said that she noticed the pandemic had caused an increase in mental health issues.

“I think needing to give people something to also support mental health and just kind of remind us all that this is not so bad,” she said.

She hoped that people will read it and it will bring some light to their lives.

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram