You’re invited to the launch of a new book documenting memories and stories from Bonteheuwel: These Are the Things That Sit With Us.

Speakers include Michael Wilhelm, Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, Friederike Bubenzer and the Bonteheuwel residents whose stories feature in the book.

About the book 

Our country has a complicated history, and this history has affected the present. These Are the Things That Sit With Us makes visible the undocumented everyday experiences that shaped the lives of ordinary South Africans during the country’s brutal and painful past.

It is a record of things that ‘sit’ within all of us. By sharing their memories, the storytellers map the scope of the wider, more difficult conversation about the meaning of justice and the missing parts of the discourse of reconciliation in South Africa.

It creates a space for a conversation about South Africa’s history and what it means to talk to and to hear the other within the context of this history. In publishing each story in isiXhosa, Afrikaans and English, we hope that the book will stimulate conversation among South Africans across languages.

‘The cycle of hurt and bitterness needs to be broken. It is hoped that telling these stories may help to do that by making visible the lingering pain of apartheid. By publishing these stories, a small part of the healing may begin – for the storytellers and for all South Africans.’ – Bettina Wyngaard

Event details

Date: Saturday 29 June 2019
Time: 15:00–17:30
Venue: Bonteheuwel Multipurpose Centre, Jakkalsvlei Road, Bonteheuwel, Cape Town
RSVP: Marietjie Oelofsen on hmoelofsen@sun.ac.za or 082 650 3097

Interested in the #memories and history of #Bonteheuwel? Come to the launch of 'These are the things that sit with us/Hierdie is die goed wat aan ons kleef/Isinto ezisiSingqala kuthi'. 29 June '19. Bonteheuwel Multipurpose Centre. 3pm. @_IJR_ @CapeTalk @VOCfm #CapeTown pic.twitter.com/zBxtoOnyUs

— Friederike Bubenzer (@FBubenzer) June 24, 2019

Categories Non-fiction South Africa

Tags Book events Book launches Cape Town Friederike Bubenzer Jacana Media Marietjie Oelofsen Michael Wilhelm Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela These Are the Things That Sit With Us