The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) took another step towards preserving the untold stories of communities around the province on Tuesday 8 October 2019, when the Oral History Initiative was rolled out in Swellendam.
A project of the Western Cape Library Service, the Oral History Initiative sees interviews with residents of the area recorded, published on DVD’s and then distributed to libraries in the area where they can be accessed by library members.
On Tuesday, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, and Swellendam Mayor, Nicholas Myburgh, launched the Initiative at the Town Hall.
Approximately 100 people from Swellendam, Barrydale, Buffeljagsrivier, Malgas, Suurbraak and Railton attended the event, where several of the interviews were shown for the first time. The interviews, which were recorded in September, will also be preserved in the Western Cape Archives in Cape Town.
Minister Marais emphasized the importance of recording and preserving oral history in museums and archives for generations to come. She also stressed the importance of having these stories and histories in the public libraries to be accessible for the community.
Tuesday’s launch was hosted by the Library Service in partnership with the Swellendam Municipality.
DCAS works to preserve the oral history and safeguard the heritage of communities around the Western Cape. BETTER TOGETHER.
Dr Tania Colyn
Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877 / 076 093 4913
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za