OUR PROJECTS

The inQUEERies project, led by Phelisa Sikwata, aims to create intentional spaces for the LGBTQI+ community in Cape Town to collectively heal from trauma and share their diverse stories. The project uses creative writing to help young people from the queer community explore their own stories, craft narratives about their lives, and share their perspectives and experiences in order to build a culture of individual and collective healing. Through a structured programme of weekly writing and co-creating spaces, Phelisa facilitates a safe space for young queer people to embark on their own healing journeys. Emerging from this programme, the participants have co-created a public exhibition to share their stories and prompt critical conversations with a broader audience.

Nulife activities, led by Elethu Nkala and Siyavuya Somchiza, was founded to respond to increasing rates of gang violence in communities in Gugulethu. Initially focused on peacebuilding efforts between members of local gangs, the project’s mandate expanded over time beyond direct responses to gang violence to focus on preventive efforts with younger children. Harnessing and re-igniting the creative and intellectual power already present in the community, the Hub aims to create consistent, impactful, and safe spaces for young people to harness their creativity, work towards social development, and participate in the local economy. Young people are drawn into the space through regular and engaging activities, including weekly open mic sessions and non-motorised go kart races, and then connected to different stakeholders who bring specific skills-building and training opportunities to the group, focusing in particular food security, social entrepreneurship and critical skills development amongst adolescents.

The Khoi Kulture project, led by Linda Seekoei, aims to promote and restore young people’s sense of pride in and understanding of their Khoisan heritage, history, and language. It works towards this goal by pairing art and creative expression with activism, focused on challenging the historical erasure of Khosian peoples in South African culture. Linda channels the Khoi Kulture movement through different media platforms, where she shares poetry, vlogs, and other creative reflections exploring the diversity of contemporary Khoisan people’s experiences and their diverse heritage. On her weekly radio show, Kulture Talk, Linda invites different guests to dialogue with her to explore issues related to identity and culture in post-Apartheid South Africa.

The Space of Harmony, led by Chumisa Jack, aims to support young people in the realisation of their artistic and creative goals and to strengthen their opportunities for broader success. The Space of Harmony delivers tailored activities that respond to young people’s own passions, working to showcase their talents to their wider community in East London. The project hosts events, including live music performances, fashion shows, and other youth-led public events. The project aims to support the recognition of young people’s value within their broader communities and to increase their sense of self-worth by giving them a platform to share their talents and to network and connect with local stakeholders.