EAST LONDON- The Eastern Cape Department of Education(EC DoE) hosted the Albert Luthuli Oral History Project provincial eliminations from 24 to 26 July 2025 at the Mandla Makupula Education Leadership Institute in East London. This 3-day event brought together learners and educators to discuss historical events and celebrate national heroes through presentations and storytelling, promoting a deeper understanding of democracy, peace and nation-building.
Provincial coordinator for History in the Eastern Cape, Lunga Mnyatheli stated that the Albert Luthuli Oral History Project was launched in 2008 and after being paused due to COVID-19 resumed in 2022.
The project now covers Grades 8-11 with 12 districts competing at the provincial level. Only three provincial winners will advance to the national level and this year a new category for G20 has been added. The program aims to equip learners with valuable skills, confidence and a deeper understanding of South Africa’s past, while promoting the legacy of Inkosi Albert Luthuli.
Communications officer at Eastern Cape Department of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Awethu Fatyela Mpondo, expressed her hope for improvement in this year’s Albert Luthuli Oral History Project, thanks to feedback given last year. “I expect to see elevated presentations, and the children that were here last year did exceptionally well. I stand to be corrected, but Eastern Cape did dominate at the nationals last year,” she said.
Mpondo also suggested that alumnus from different provinces should adjudicate, speak to children, host workshops, and participate in master classes to promote oral history, writing and storytelling.
Deputy Director responsible for research and positive development at Eastern Cape Department Vuyisani Mbha, emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of reading and writing, especially in marginalized communities. “There should be some work that comes from this gathering that gets published. I am challenging the government to say, some of the writings of these kids, even if they are not number one or numberm two, let’s look for the best amongst them and then publish them,” Mbha said.
In addition an educator from Andrew Rabie High School in Gqeberha shared, “It’s the very first time that my school is participating in this competition and I’m excited that we’ve made it so far. I feel that this platform gives a chance for the learner who’s not active in sport, who doesn’t feel that he belongs in sport, to expose himself in history and culture.”
Whilst an educator at Hector Peterson High School noted that the school has three award categories: oral history, oral presentation and storytelling. Last year, they triumphed on a national level, and their candidate placed first for finest storyteller.The Albert Luthuli Oral History Project promotes historical awareness, cultural heritage, and nation-building among youth, equipping them with valuable skills and confidence while fostering a love of history and contributing to a more informed society.
Photographs by: EC DoE
Siyolise Silayi
25 July 2025
