Impande Zobuntu Stories Without Borders Youth Storytelling Competition

Sibikwa Arts Centre in partnership with Atamelang Arts and Heritage Centre presents Impande Zobuntu Stories Without Borders Youth Storytelling Competition funded by the National lottery Commission on the 31 May 2025 in the North West Province

Storytellers between the ages of 18 and 30 residing in the rural and peri-urban communities of North West are invited to submit solo storytelling performances in indigenous South African languages. In a celebration of culture and creativity, entrants are encouraged to incorporate traditional instruments, natural elements, and recycled materials into their performances. Storytellers may perform solo or collaborate with a musician as a duo, weaving together sound, language, and sustainable materials to tell stories that reflect the deep relationship between people and nature.

This competition is more than a platform—it’s a movement towards intergenerational exchange, environmental consciousness, and cultural reclamation. Through mentorship, public performances, and community engagement, participants will gain opportunities to develop their artistic voices and share narratives that reflect indigenous principles and ecological wisdom.

Competition Timeline:

  • 09 May: Applications Close
  • 12 – 16 May: Adjudication and shortlisting of 16 participants
  • 17 May: Auditions of 16 shortlisted storytellers to select 6 finalists for the competition
  • 18 & 30 May: One-on-one mentorship sessions with experienced storytellers
  • 31 May: Final performances of the 6 before a live audience in North West Province
    • Top 3 finalists will receive cash prizes
    • The winner will receive cash prize and a chance to perform at the main festival in Gauteng in September 2025

HOW TO ENTER:

  • Send a short bio including your full name, age, contact number, email address, and residential area to: michael@sibikwa.co.za
  • Submit a 1-minute video clip of yourself performing the story you are entering for the competition via WhatsApp to 066 399 6012. Please introduce yourself in the video before starting your performance.

The 16 shortlisted candidates for auditions will notified via email by the 12 of May 2025

Entry Requirements:

  • Format: Solo or in collaboration with a musician as a duo
  • Theme: Must align with the festival’s environmental theme exploring indigenous ecological knowledge and the human-nature relationship
  • Creative Elements: Incorporation of traditional instruments, natural elements, and/or recycled materials
  • Availability: Must be available for auditions, mentorship sessions, and final performance dates.

This initiative is a part of Sibikwa Arts Centre’s broader commitment to cultural preservation, youth empowerment, and ecological awareness. It aims to provide a platform for marginalised and vulnerable groups while spotlighting the power of indigenous knowledge and sustainability in the arts.

Contact Details

Name: Sipho Michael Mabena

Cell: 0680663910

Email: michael@sibikwa.co.za

Tel: 011 422 4359

Website: www.sibikwa.co.za