Spreading ‘Madiba Magic’ to EC schools
Since Nelson Mandela’s passing in 2013, Madiba Magic has never been more alive than in this centenary year, and thanks to the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and Tafelberg Publishers it will be felt and read in schools.
The pair will commemorate Mandela’s 100th birthday on July 18 by relaunching the classic Madiba Magic, an anthology of folktales selected by Mandela, at 15 primary schools across the country.
Experienced storytellers will visit schools in the Western and Eastern Cape, as well as Gauteng to bring these stories to life – through dancing, storytelling and music.
Among the selected schools are four from the Eastern Cape, namely Tshatshu Primary School, Kei Road Combined School (both in King Willliam’s Town), James Ntungwana Primary School (KwaNobuhle) and Gilbert Xuza Primary School (Somerset East).
Jakes Gerwel Foundation executive director Theo Kemp said with Gerwel being director-general in the presidency of Nelson Mandela’s first democratic government, the foundation is proud to be a part of the project.
“The Jakes Gerwel Foundation is committed to promote reading and to expose pupils to the wonder of books, and therefore we are honoured to partner with Tafelberg in this project,” Kemp said.
He added schools will benefit further from a donation to their library by NB Publishers.
Originally published in 2002, Madiba Magic, is a collection of 32 of his favourite fables – not only from South Africa but from around the continent.
Tafelberg publisher Michelle Cooper said the special reissue for the Mandela centenary celebrations, is a feast for the eyes and refracts Africa in its myriad facets.
“Madiba’s great heart for children struck a chord with many people and this book reflects something of those ideals. These are the stories Madiba would have told,” Cooper said.
James Ntungwana Primary School Grade 3 pupil Sinethemba Jele, 11 said he was both excited and happy that their school had been selected.
“I can’t wait to hear about the different stories from around Africa. I want to see if some of Mandela’s stories are the same ones my parents tell me at night,” Jele said.