Storytelling in Cape Town

Clowns Without Borders working with stories in Cape Town communities...

In January and February, Clowns Without Borders South Africa artists (CWBSA), Jamie McLaren Lachman, Sussie Mjwara, and Annabel Morgan participated in the School of Storytelling's 5-week course on storytelling and the community in Cape Town (www.schoolofstorytelling.com). Playing games, singing songs, and telling tales with 11 other participants from around the world, we explored the craft of traditional and autobiographical stories as well as how to work with stories in a community context. Throughout the course, we had ample opportunity to bring stories out into Cape Town with people on trains, children in literacy reading clubs, and, especially for Annabel and Sussie, the Cape Town homeless community. 

Eager to apply these new skills directly in our community work, a week after the course finished, CWBSA spent 5 days working with a local community organisation, Ikamva Labantu (www.ikamva.com), to introduce storytelling as means of engagement, empowerment, and emotional relief with senior citizens and caregivers. Joined by CWBSA senior artist, Sibongile Tsoanyane, and course participant, Philippa Kagali-Kagwa, this project was funded by ApexHi and Europcar, enabling us to reach 147 adults (ages 36-94) in 8 senior clubs throughout Cape Town. 

Please visit our website to read an update from the field!