The first Khoena animation is preserving South Africa’s indigenous stories

For centuries, the Khoena people of South Africa have passed on their stories through oral tradition. While they were the original inhabitants of the Cape region, colonisation and apartheid has imperilled their history. “The Khoena culture is being threatened by the loss of its heritage and the loss of its language,” Deidré Jantjies says. An activist and producer, she is preserving indigenous identity with the first Khoena animation. “I wanted brown-skinned children to see themselves so that we can represent and own our stories,” she says.

Jantjies’ webseries Stories in die Wind (Stories in the Wind) is reviving pride in culture for youth. In her animation, illustrated by Dav Andrew and animated by Clinton Jones, she retells the Nama folktale of a girl who has been given her purpose – to save her people and their land through her ability to communicate with the rain. Times of drought would have been devastating to the Khoena people as they relied on animals and farming for their livelihoods and food. Available with Nama subtitles, the series illustrates the essential role these fables play in protecting culture. “Just because the world around us is changing doesn’t mean that we should forget about who we are,” Jantjies says. 

Celebrating the Khoena community through her creativity, Jantjies is creating connections across generations in South Africa. By showing children the value of their ancestry, she is empowering them to remember and revere their people’s stories. “We can ensure that our history and our heritage will live forever,” Jantjies says.