The Khayamandi Oral History Research Project was launched on Saturday, 22 August 2015, with the vision to "unlock many untold narratives – beautiful stories, sad stories, but also hopeful and celebratory stories – in order to build a new future for us all," Stellenbosch University (SU) Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers said.
He was the keynote speaker at the event, which took place at Kayamandi High School and was attended by about 300 guests from the local community and other parts of Stellenbosch.
The Project is a joint venture between non-profit organisation Imbadu Ma-Afrika Development Consortium, Stellenbosch University and the Solms-Delta Wine Estate. It is aimed at collecting local narratives to learn more about the history of the Stellenbosch township, one of the oldest in South Africa. Although it was officially established in 1941, its roots go back more than two decades earlier.
"The official spelling is Kayamandi, but we write it with an 'h' because in isiXhosa, 'khaya' means home, and 'mandi' is derived from 'mnandi', which means pleasant, sweet or nice," explained Imbadu Executive Director Thumakele Gosa, the kingpin of the initiative.
After Imbadu, which promotes cultural heritage and economic development in Kayamandi and beyond, was formed in 2010, Gosa approached Solms-Delta owner Prof Mark Solms to ask for assistance with a history project in Kayamandi similar to the one at the Estate, which houses a museum telling the story of the farm.
Solms explained he had brought in researchers to help him and his workers find out more about the people who had been living on the land for centuries. This not only brought everyone closer together, but led to commercial ventures benefiting the local community.
"So, just as what we did on my farm, bringing in historians to help us understand how we got here, today we are starting this similar project here in Kayamandi. If history has made us like this, then we can shape things now to make the future different," Solms said.
Maties will be coordinating the research. Its History Department will play the key role, and its Division for Social Impact (formerly Community Interaction) is also involved.
"The idea is to build on existing sources, such as postgraduate student David Rock's master's thesis from 2011. One step will be to do additional archival research. Another step will be oral histories to be gathered from the community. Interviews will be conducted by fieldworkers from Kayamandi, with training provided by us," Mr Chet Fransch of SU's History Department said.
A competition is also on the cards for high school learners to write up mini biographies of particular residents, with the University Museum showcasing the learners' work.
"As a university, our strength is academic research. That is what we can bring to this project – not money or power, but expertise at unlocking knowledge, which is a collaborative process," Prof de Villiers said.
"We want to help to unlock knowledge that the people of Kayamandi already have, through writing up their oral histories with them. It is absolutely crucial for any university to engage with its community – and Kayamandi is our community, just as much as Mostertsdrift and Cloetesville are.
"South Africa has a divided past. But I would like to think we are building a united future. And to do that, we need to get to know each other better. These oral histories will help us achieve that."
Gosa said beyond an envisaged publication documenting the history of Kayamandi, the hope is also to establish a heritage centre to preserve and celebrate local narratives. This should stimulate investment for the arts, tourism and entrepreneurship.
"Ultimately we want to restore confidence and enhance community development. This project is aimed at creating cohesion between all residents of the greater Stellenbosch."
Deputy Executive Mayor of Stellenbosch Martin Smuts said the Municipality supported the initiative.
"If you come to Kayamandi, you will find a diverse and resilient community, with goodwill as the underlying foundation. I ask that the community actively participate in local government, and that you co-produce the future possibilities of Kayamandi as part of the greater Stellenbosch that you, the people, want to see."
Addressing the community directly, Solms said the most important outcome of the research project would be that "all of us – those who live here and visit here, and those in the rest of the country and the world – will better understand who you are; how come you live the way you do; what processes led to life in Kayamandi being the way it is, good and bad.
"By understanding what is right and what is wrong, by making the correct diagnosis, there will be the opportunity to create a better future for Kayamandi. I encourage you to take this process very seriously, and give of your own history, your own stories, as honestly and as fully as you can. This is the beginning of a very important process."
MAIN PIC: From left, at the back, are Imbadu member Thanduxolo Tyhulu, field worker Silulami Mbokwana, Mawethu Nyakatya of SU Division of Social Impact, field worker Samkela Mhlakaza, Kayamandi Arts & Cultural Festival's Azola Zoya, and Khaymandi Oral History Research Project's (KOHRP) Paul Roviss Khambule. In the front, from left, are field worker Siphokazi Wonxi, Chet Fransch of SU's History Department, KOHRP's Siphamandla Sidiyana and Imbadu Executive Director Thumakele Gosa.
ABOVE: Prof Mark Solms, left, and local resident Zuko Mlonyeni at the launch of the Khayamandi Oral History Research Project.
MIDDLE: SU Rector and Vice-Chancellor Prof Wim de Villiers being interviewed by SABC TV News about the Khayamandi Oral History Research Project.
BOTTOM: Local youths Siphe Ntshayi and Esethu Bangaza tell their stories at the launch of the Khaymandi Oral History Research Project.
Story and pictures by DESMOND THOMPSON.
