Bo-Kaap Museum revealed a vibrant showcase of living history earlier this week, with the launch of ALMAL se Stoepstories – an oral storytelling project preserving the community’s rich, unspoken legacies.
According to the Department of Cutural Affairs and Sport, the initiative, which is led by ALMAL (Archives, Library Service, Museums and Heritage, Arts, and Language Services), captures the heart of Bo-Kaap’s cultural heritage by sharing personal stories that might otherwise fade with time.
Under a symbolic stoep setting, a space traditionally meant for sharing and connection, local storytellers took centre stage, weaving tales of resilience, identity and shared heritage. Among the listeners was Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Ricardo Mackenzie, who emphasised the urgency of safeguarding these voices.
‘These stories must be passed from one generation to the next,’ said Minister Mackenzie. ‘If we do not tell them, they risk fading into silence.’
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The event was elevated by the soul-stirring harmonies of the ‘Keep the Dream’ Malay Choir, whose performance echoed the enduring spirit of the Bo-Kaap. This wasn’t just another performance; it was the beating heart of ALMAL se Stoepstories coming to life.
In its media release, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport highlights the important meaning behind the project:
‘ALMAL se Stoepstories is more than a project; it reminds us that every memory and story told by a friend, family member, or stranger keeps history alive.
Remember, these stories aren’t meant to be sealed in museums or locked in digital files. They’re living, breathing lessons that must be shared at family tables, debated in community centres, and sung at neighbourhood braais.
Because a story only dies when it stops being told, and Bo-Kaap’s stories of resilience, identity, and triumph deserve to echo far into the future.’
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Picture: Western Cape Government
