As part of the British Academy-funded โInterrogating Urban Crisis Representation and Responseย project, participants in South Africa created powerful stories that reflect their lived experiences of crisis. These stories were developed in collaboration with SERI, Equal Education, and Project 90 by 30, and produced during storytelling workshops facilitated by teams from the University of the Western Cape and the University of Sheffield.
The outputs include:
Podcasts capturing the voices and emotions of the storytellers
Storybooks visually illustrating their experiences
A short film that brings their narratives to life on screen
Explore the stories below. To read and listen to the stories created in Colombia, visit our project website..
In June 2025, the project team met in Cape Town, South Africa for a workshop. During the workshop, the team had the opportunity of putting together the a short film featuring stories created by participants in all four cities. The stories in the short film were created by residents living in low-income communities in Cape Town and Johannesburg (South Africa), and Cali and Buenaventura (Colombia). The South African participants are from Equal Education and Project 90by2030 in Khayelitsha (Cape Town), and from Joe Slovo informal settlement (Johannesburg). It is part of a research project exploring what crisis means in cities. The project supported 40 residents across both countries to create 19 diverse stories reflecting their real life crises. The film showcases four stories: two about state absence and violence, and two about experiences and challenges of young people in relation to family life.
| Summary |
| My Journey
City: Cape Town Written by: Joyce Mcelebo and Natalie McAskill
Born in 1958, Nonsikileko is forced to move from Parow to Jakkalsvlei due to racial segregation laws. Nonsikileko marries Johnny in the 1990s, and they build their first home, a wood and iron shack, with their own hands. They start the Gugulethu Backyarders Campaign to advocate for housing, but Nonsikileko faces multiple housing crises, including being forced out of a church house and living with another family in a one-room dwelling. Despite hardships, Nonsikileko perseveres in her struggle. Click to read the story |
| Imvelo ye Vuka uZenzele / Judyโs Story
City: Johannesburg
Originally created in Xhosa. |
| A Hard Journey / Uhambo Olunzimaย
City: Johannesburg Dora is a 32-year-old woman from Mpumalanga. She leaves her parents and two young children behind to seek work in Pretoria, and becomes a live-in domestic worker for Mrs. Smith, caring for her two children and doing household chores. Dora is treated well and saves some money, but tragedy strikes when she receives news of her mother’s death and, unable to afford the trip home, misses the funeral. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Dora temporarily loses her way, engaging in destructive behavior. But with the support of her friends, Dora perseveres, recovers and builds a beautiful home back in her hometown. The story highlights the challenges faced by domestic workers, family separation, and resilience in the face of hardship. Click to read the story Originally created in Zulu. |
| My Daughter, My Lifeย
City: Cape Town Written by: Bongiwe Majija, Makanatsa Ziyambi & Noncedo Bulana Bra Ngobese, a 40-year-old widowed single father, lives with his 18-year-old daughter Lilitha. Lilitha, a promising student, struggles with exam stress and is persuaded by friends to try drugs. She tragically dies from an overdose. Devastated, Bra Ngobese attempts to report the local drug dealer, Eddie, to the police. However, corruption within the police force thwarts his efforts. Frustrated and seeking justice, Bra Ngobese confronts Eddie with a borrowed gun. The confrontation ends tragically when Eddie’s henchmen shoot and kill Bra Ngobese, leaving both father and daughter victims of drug-related violence. Click to read the story Originally created in Xhosa & English |
| Anna the Rock
City: Cape Town Written by: Anna Baron and Margaret Davids
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City: Johannesburg
Written by: Gloria Mkhurshulwa and Cheriese Dilrajh
Synopsis: Gloria, a young woman from Bisho, Eastern Cape, dreams of studying agriculture. Unable to afford university fees, she starts producing and selling sunflower oil from her garden. Initially unsuccessful due to high prices, her fortunes change when Sipho, a former miner with a persistent cough, buys her oil. The oil unexpectedly helps Sipho’s cough, leading to widespread demand. Gloria earns enough to study agriculture in Johannesburg, where she excels in cultivating plants in challenging conditions. The story ends with Gloria realizing that her true magic lies in her own hands, not just in her garden.
City: Johannesburg
Written by: Lerato Marole and Doctor Mariti
Synopsis: This story chronicles the struggle of community leaders fighting for basic services in the informal settlement of Slovo Park. Led by Mohau, the Slovo Park Community Development Forum faces violent threats, internal conflicts, and government resistance. Despite winning a court case against the government, implementation of services remains elusive. Mohau’s unexpected death adds to the movement’s challenges. However, his fellow activists persevere, eventually securing electricity for the community. The story highlights the complexities of grassroots activism and the personal sacrifices of community leaders.
City: Johannesburg
Written by: Andiswa Mpahleni & Rose Mdunyewhaย
Synopsis: Rose and Suzan meet at a community stokvel (savings group) in Slovo Park, Johannesburg, and become close friends. Rose helps Suzan find accommodation nearby. When it’s Rose’s turn to receive money from the stokvel, Suzan fails to contribute, claiming financial difficulties, leading to a heated argument during the stokvel meeting. Desperate, Suzan borrows money from a mashonisa (loan shark) to pay Rose. But when Suzan rudely throws the money at Rose, their friendship is irreparably damaged. The story ends with their friendship broken due to lost trust, highlighting the potential pitfalls of mixing friendships with financial arrangements in tight-knit communities.
City: Cape Town
Written by: Feziwe Sigomo and Onodwa Majavuย
Synopsis: This episode of The Growing Pains Talk Show features estranged siblings Nomancube and Lazola, from Cape Town. Nomancube, now 35, confronts Lazola for abandoning her at 16 with his two-month-old child, breaking promises to return and support them. Lazola cites life difficulties, including losing a leg, as reasons for his absence. Their mother expresses heartbreak over their strained relationship, while Lazola apologizes and promises to do better. The host encourages counseling and reconciliation, and the show ends with hope for the siblings to rebuild their relationship, emphasizing the importance of healing and family bonds.
City: Cape Town
Written by: Esethu Plaatjie, Wendy Mkubu & Sesulu M.
Synopsis: Camagu loses his friend Aluyolo in a sudden shooting incident. Overwhelmed by grief, Camagu withdraws from school and turns to alcohol, encouraged by his friend Tar Fish. His neighbor Mneija expresses concern about his drinking. One night, Camagu has a vision of Aluyolo, who urges him to forgive himself and make the best of his life. A year later, Camagu speaks at his former high school, sharing his story of overcoming pain and pressure. The principal commends him for his progress and upcoming computer science degree. The story illustrates the destructive power of grief and substance abuse, but also the potential for personal growth and recovery.
Prof. Fiona Anciano, University of Western Cape, South Africaย – Co-Investigator
Dr Henry Staples,ย University of Sheffield, UK – Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRA)
Babongile Bidla, University of Western Cape, South Africaย -Research Assistant
| SERI
Location: Johannesburg Website: www.seri-sa.org |
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Project90 by 2030
Location: Cape Town Website: www.90by2030.org.za |
| Equal Education
Location: Cape Town Website: www.equaleducation.org.za |
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+27 (0) 21 959 2957
4th Floor, EMS Building
University of the Western Cape
Robert Sobukwe Road
Bellville 7530
Judy, a 35-year-old orphan raised in poverty, becomes a community leader in Mamelodi. The area struggles with water shortages, and residents rely on the ineffective Mpilo Movement for help. After failed attempts to get assistance from local officials, the community becomes angry and destructive. Judy, using her political experience and diplomacy, calms the situation and proposes creating their own organization called “Vuka Uzenzele” (Get Up and Do It Yourself). The community rallies behind Judy’s leadership and the new movement, believing it will help them secure water access. The story ends with hope for positive change through community-led action. 
