On Tuesday, 18 April 2023, the University of Cape Town (UCT) marked the second anniversary of the devastating Jagger Library fire by launching the ‘Stories from the Ashes’ project.
This multifaceted collaboration between UCT and DStv Africa aims to resurrect and retell some of the stories that were lost in the fire. From the ashes and remnants of the library, a stand, a pen and a book titled Stories from the Ashes: Africa’s Story Through the Last Millennium were created.
Also read: A tribute to all who contributed to the salvage of the Jagger Library
On 18 April 2021, the world watched as a runaway fire on Table Mountain destroyed sections of the University of Cape Town’s upper campus, including the Jagger Library, which housed the university’s special collections, including what was likely one of the leading collections of African stories. One of the continent’s most prestigious African studies libraries was destroyed. But not everything was lost.
The Jagger Reading Room and its priceless and largely irreplaceable contents were destroyed, including two-thirds of the African Studies Library, books, films and pamphlets, as well as historic African government publications, manuscripts and archives housed in the Reading Room.
Librarians and archivists who worked out of that building swung into action, launching a historic disaster management project to salvage and recover everything from the extensive basements that had been spared destruction by the fire.
This required an unprecedented salvage operation involving corporations, non-profit organisations, trained experts, generous neighbours, parents and donors, alumni and former staff who donated their time, money, emotional support, expertise and a variety of other resources to assist us in recovering and rebuilding what was lost.
Since the fire, UCT and DStv Africa, the continent’s two largest producers of stories, have embarked on a journey to resurrect the stories lost in the fire for the benefit of future generations.
‘We as a business are thrilled to be a part of this project; for us, storytelling is a key element that helps us share and shape human experiences,’ says Nondumiso Mabece, the head of consumer marketing and PR at DStv Africa. ‘Being in the business of storytelling, many of which start off as a book, a note, or an essay, rebuilding the UCT library means enhancing the lengths through which our stories can be told, so they can grow and be stored for future generations to learn.’
DStv collected five tonnes of ashes and remnants from the Jagger Library’s burnt stacks of African Studies literature. They were able to turn the ash into unique ink to write new stories and also create the first book worthy of being placed in the newly refurbished library by working with specialists.
They worked with some of Africa’s best storytellers to begin the journey of rewriting lost history.
Picture: Supplied
Stories From the Ashes: Africa’s Story Through the Last Millennium includes visuals and reprinted extracts tackling different subjects such as African History and Identity, Politics, Gender and Identity, Performing Arts, Literature, Language and Linguistics, African Youth, Migration and the African Diaspora, Environment and Climate from Surviving African Literature in the Special Collections Library.
It also includes personal reflections by distinguished UCT alumni, including Justice Albie Sachs, Dr Mamphela Ramphele, Nkosinathi Biko, Prof. Timm Hoffman, Prof. Joan Hambidge, Prof. June Bam-Hutchinson, Carl Manlan and Musa Ngqungwana Ngqungwana.
The book, constructed entirely from remnants and ashes, outlines the rich legacy of African stories throughout the millennia and serves as a reminder of the commitment to restoring what was lost for future generations.
UCT Libraries’ executive director, Ujala Satgoor, said: ‘Working with DStv has been a creative and fulfilling experience. While we still have some way to go in terms of rebuilding the physical structure and space of the Jagger Library, this partnership, process and project have again shown, as in April 2021, that with collaboration and creativity, much can be salvaged, achieved and rebuilt in our beautiful country. As a memorial to the fire, this special book will forever form part of the new story of the Jagger Library, the story of literally and figuratively rebuilding from the ashes.’
Find out more about the #StoriesFromTheAshes project by visiting this website.
Also read:
Burnt-out UCT’s Jagger library: Heartbroken academics share memories
Picture: Supplied