Mpumalanga Oral History Conference to uplift neglected indigenous knowledge systems

The ninth annual Mpumalanga Oral History Conference was hosted at the Provincial Archives Building from September 13 to 15 under the theme ‘Oral History as Activism: Memory, Narration and Locating the Locality.’

The conference aimed to assist communities in retrieving neglected indigenous and community knowledge as a way of promoting social, economic and cultural development. It facilitated interdepartmental synergies and partnerships with other stakeholders to ensure that oral history is integrated in all public initiatives, as well as to close gaps that exist in the current history of the province.

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In her speech during the event, the MEC for culture, sport and recreation, Thandi Shongwe, said the province must continue to have more events such as this so that information can be shared.

“We last hosted the Oral History Conference at this venue during the unprecedented times when the country was battling with Covid-19. In my view, this conference is vital for nation-building and social cohesion, as it provides a platform for all voices to be heard and new voices to find expression, and I believe the organisers of this conference will agree with me. Our history need not be lost as older generations pass on. We have a duty to keep our histories alive in our communities and within government so that future generations can celebrate our heritage. The documenting of oral histories is one way that ensures that experiences are not lost, but rather made available to future generations.”

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Shongwe said she would like to encourage organisations to collaborate and participate.

“Like the Oral History Association of Mpumalanga, which creates and sustains social compact with communities to make oral history activities fashionable, this session reveals that we have in our midst tanks who will explore oral histories of the missing and untold stories, language as the ultimate depository of culture and knowledge, indigenous knowledge, leadership and chieftaincy, as well as indigenous knowledge systems, which is a new teaching of ancestral ingenuity. The unbanning of liberation movements in the country was a watershed moment, as it signalled the beginning of the end of apartheid. It is important that we pay homage to those who played a leading role in the liberation struggle. We need to work closely with the Department of Education to build capacity in schools in terms of oral history through intergenerational skills development.”

Various speakers gave presentations, and there were exhibitions by museums, library services, crafters and publishers.