Africa News Pretoria Bureau
The day I met my turning point – By Dr Ted Msipa (PhD)
DURBAN, South Africa — Author Nompumelelo Ngcobo has started embarking on a national tour, launching the uQamata Cultural Series, a groundbreaking children’s book collection celebrating African spirituality, language, and cultural identity. The tour goes to Durban on 28 April 2025, with subsequent stops in Cape Town and Bloemfontein and finally the Eastern Cape, offering a platform to preserve indigenous knowledge through storytelling and mother-tongue education.
Inspired by her six-year-old daughter’s curiosity about their heritage, Ngcobo crafted the isiZulu-language series to document rites of passage such as umhlonyana (transition from childhood to young womanhood), memulo (a traditional coming-of-age ceremony for young women), utsiki (gathering that honors ancestral traditions for the wife), and amalobolo (dowry negotiations). The books aim to foster early learning in indigenous languages while affirming cultural pride among young readers.
Launch Events
- Durban: April 28, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at The Bat Centre
- Cape Town: May 2, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at Ilanga 16 on Lerothoni museum
- Cape Town: May 4, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at Gugulethu Lumkile’s Book Joint
- Bloemfontein: May 6, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at the Cultural Centre
- Bloemfontein: May 7, 2025, from 12 PM to 3 PM at the UFS Library
Attendees will enjoy readings from the series, a dialogue with Ngcobo, and intergenerational discussions on decolonial education. Cultural performances, book signings, and contributions from poets, healers, and educators will underscore the importance of African knowledge systems.
‘This series is a tribute to our ancestors and a gift to our children,’ Ngcobo remarked. ‘By grounding them in their cultural roots, we empower them to navigate the world with pride and a strong sense of identity.’
More from Africa News 24
The launch marks a pivotal moment in South Africa’s literary landscape, challenging historical gaps in culturally affirming children’s literature. Educators and cultural practitioners hail the series as a tool for combating cultural erasure and revitalising indigenous traditions.
Journalists are invited to interview Ngcobo, explore the series’ themes, and document this landmark initiative. RSVPs are requested via nompumelelongcobo@gmail.com or 002778 421 4661.
The uQamata Cultural Series not only bridges generations but also reimagines storytelling as a vessel for cultural continuity, offering a blueprint for decolonial education in Africa.
