The magic of oral history was on display in all its glory at the finals of the 2013 Nkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History competition.
The competition is a partnership between the Department of Basic Education and South African History Online. The programme is named after Chief Albert John Luthuli, Nobel Prize laureate, educationist, and former President-General of the African National Congress. It was started to commemorate and celebrate the lives of key individuals who contributed greatly to the shaping of a democratic South Africa and teach about them in the classrooms.
The competition aims to increase the interest in history and to encourage learners throughout the country to engage with their shared history in addition to exploring their personal and community histories. Open to Grade 8-11 learners, the competition has been running since 2005 and provides a platform for learners to share their own history in the age-old discipline of storytelling.
Learners and teachers gathered at Kiwiets Kroon Estate in Pretoria on 20 to 22 September 2013 to present their projects, which compelled them to research and prepare a presentation or a documentary film or video on one of the following topics:
- The 100th Anniversary of thee Land Act of 1913
- The 100th Anniversary of the Women’s Anti-Pass Resistance
- Unsung Heroes and Heroines in my local community
- A history of my community or school.
Toka Moeketsi, did a presentation on the 1913 Land Act which scooped the first prize in the Learners’ category. The Grade 11 learner at Zingise Comprehensive was inspired to enter the competition after observing the complexity of land ownership in his hometown of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
“After observing people in my area and their feelings around the emotive issue of land ownership, I wanted to know more and this competition was the perfect opportunity to do so,” explains the 17-year-old.
“I wanted to see how this issue, dating back to 1913 continues to affect people up to this day. Being a part of this competition has shown me that history is not just what is in books, but it is also about us, about our own personal stories,” he says.
Lauren Alston, from Danville Girls High School in Durban, who presented on her family’s connection to Robben Island predating its use as a prison, agreed that the competition was an opportunity for learners to gain more interest in history.
“When I entered I had no idea what I was in for and since then my project had changed focus at least four times. It has shown me bits of my family history that I never knew about and the experience has been amazing!” says Lauren.
Full list of winners for the 2013 Nkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History Competiton:
Learner category:
1. Toka Moeketsi (EC)
2. Shandre Smith (GP)
3. Khumo Songwane (NW)
Educator category:
1. Verosha Maharaj (KZN)
2. Superior Chiumira (GP)
3. Bernadice Mandiza Dlozi (MP)
