Nomsa Mdlalose
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| Nomsa Mdlalose | |
|---|---|
| Born | Nomsa Mdlalose KwaMashu, Durban, South Africa |
| 💼 Occupation | Folklorist, storyteller, writer, cultural entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Zintsomi; promotion of African oral literature; children’s books; storytelling education & training |
Dr. Nomsa Mdlalose known by her stage name Dr. Sasa, is a South African folklorist, storyteller, writer, and cultural scholar renowned for her work in documenting, preserving, and promoting indigenous oral traditions. Her research and creative output centre on African folklore, performance traditions, children's literature, and the role of storytelling in cultural continuity.
Early life and education
Nomsa Mdlalose grew up in KwaMashu, Durban, where she was exposed early to the tradition of African oral literature. Her passion for storytelling was sparked by listening to tales shared in her community.[1]
She later pursued formal training abroad, obtaining a master's degree in storytelling from East Tennessee State University (USA).[2][3][AI-retrieved source] She subsequently completed a Doctorate in Folklore at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), specialising in African oral literature and linguistics.[4]
Career
Zintsomi storytelling hub
In 2007, Mdlalose founded Zintsomi, a storytelling-and-publishing hub dedicated to preserving and promoting African stories, oral tradition, and to professionalising storytelling as a creative career.[5] Zintsomi publishes children's books (often multilingual: isiZulu, English, Afrikaans, Setswana), and produces a variety of storytelling media (books, read-along audio, digital stories, puppetry, animation) to make African stories accessible to children and youth.[6][7]
Through Zintsomi, Mdlalose has hosted storytelling performance events, training programmes, and mentorship sessions aimed at equipping new storytellers with writing, performance, and publishing skills.[2] In 2022, Zintsomi received funding from the National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC) under the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme.[8] This funding supported a children's book fair and storytelling festival, which created jobs for about 40 people (storytellers, authors, production staff).[5][7]
Mdlalose has also collaborated with schools and educational institutions to bring storytelling into curricula, promoting literacy, cultural identity, and creative expression.[7]
Advocacy for oral tradition and cultural heritage
Mdlalose is often described as one of South Africa's leading modern storytellers. She emphasises the enduring relevance of storytelling as a means to preserve culture, impart moral values, and nurture identity among younger generations. According to her, storytelling is “a communication vehicle through which people can resolve their differences in a more mature and less confrontational manner.”[1] Her work spans both academic and grassroots outreach, bridging folklore scholarship with community-oriented cultural activism.[9]
Publications and projects
- Zintsomi publications include several children's books originally in isiZulu, later translated into English, Afrikaans, and Setswana, reflecting a commitment to multilingual access.[3]
- The hub also organises and runs storytelling workshops and training courses (e.g. “Introduction to Storytelling with Dr Sasa”), aimed at educators, librarians, and aspiring storytellers.[10]
- Zintsomi also runs a “Kids Corner”: a youth-oriented space combining books, storytelling performances, and programmes to nurture reading and imagination.[11]
Recognition and impact
- Mdlalose received the 2015 Imbokodo Award in recognition of her work to promote African languages and storytelling.[12]
- Through NAC support and her initiatives, Zintsomi has contributed to job creation, particularly for youth and women, and helped revive interest in indigenous storytelling in schools and communities across South Africa.[5]
- Her influence extends to cultural education: by integrating storytelling into schools, publishing accessible multilingual books, and mentoring new storytellers, she helps preserve oral traditions and encourage creative literacy.[13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Reporter, Staff (2010-09-14). "Love and compassion make the difference". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Nomsa Mdlalose - A Story Telling Hub". kzntopbusiness.co.za. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://maps.prodafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/6818_geodir_Document_Nomsa-Mdlalose-A-Story-Telling-Hub_1.pdf
- ↑ "About Zintsomi". Zintsomi. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Mdlalose established Zintsomi to stimulate artistic flair". Sowetan. 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Zintsomi – Leave the Storytelling to us!". Zintsomi. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Zintsomi is Using Innovative Ways to Tell Our Stories – National Arts Council". 2023-09-09. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "The creative sector – support to the soul of the nation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2024-07-24.
- ↑ Reporter, Staff (2008-01-10). "A deeply imaginative read". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Introduction to storytelling with Dr Sasa". Zintsomi. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "ProdAfrica Business Directory - Zintsomi - Midrand - South Africa ProdAfrica Business Directory African Business Directory". 2018-10-25. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Wits Writing Festival 2024 | PDF | Storytelling | Postgraduate Education". Scribd. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ↑ "Celebrating the power of storytelling". www.unisa.ac.za. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
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