Storytelling: Africa Hub Summer School 2025

The Annual Human Rights Defenders Summer School, hosted by the African Universities Hub for Human Rights (Africa Hub), equips HRDs from across Africa with crucial skills and knowledge. A key element of the capacity-building program utilized an innovative pedagogical approach: storytelling.

Participants engaged in dedicated workshops focusing on storytelling for human rights advocacy and protection. This process provided a critical space for reflection and was intended to foster resilience, well-being, and safety. HRDs practiced developing both personal and collective narratives, which draw directly from their own experiences within the human rights space. The workshops helped participants develop stories but prompted them to think about how they can use the same tools for advocacy.

Below are the stories produced by the participants at the 2025 Summer School.

 

Storybooks

Summary

Silent No More Story Of Hope Language: English Written by: Amy Scott, Mousa Kouri & Gabie Ndukuya This storybook contains references to gender-based violence (GBV). While no graphic details are shown, the themes may still be distressing for some readers. The story is partly fictionalised for educational and advocacy purposes and all images are AI generated. It does not depict specific individuals but aims to honour the voices of women and communities resisting GBV in South Africa and beyond. If you or someone you know is experiencing GBV, support is available:  📞 South Africa GBV Command Centre: 0800 428 428  📱 “Please Call Me” service: dial *120*7867# Click to read the story

What Happened To Shantal: A Journey Of Pain And Resilience  Written by: Indefatigable Fellows – Luzia Massocolo, Gerald Mulindwa & Kevin Karuga   On the evening of May 21, 2018, a 19-year-old Rwandan woman named Uwera Shantal made a bold decision to move to Uganda in search of employment. While crossing the border from Rwanda to Uganda, she was arrested by immigration officers for not having the required travel documents. Inside the cold, dimly lit detention room, she sat trembling, not knowing what awaited her. Click to read the story

The Ball That Was Never Played Written by: The Shooters – Deng Phillip Aguto, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa, Portia Ndlovu Kelvin’s tale begins on an ordinary day in Chitungwiza. Bright with hope, and anchored in his love for football. A son, a husband, a neighbor, he carried simple dreams and a future ready to unfold. But when the streets erupted in a cry for justice, the world he knew shifted. Smoke curled above burning tyres, voices rose in defiance, and the drum of approaching boots grew louder. Click to read the story

Worthy Sacrifices A 15-Year-Old’s Impossible Choice: School Or Survival Written by: Jerome Coetzee, Memory Banda, Cebelihle Mbuyisa The powerful story of Babongile, a 15-year-old boy forced to choose between school and survival as he becomes the sole provider for his ailing mother. Driven by love, dignity, and quiet resilience, he trades classrooms for vineyards, hoping only to keep his family alive. When an unexpected act of kindness changes the course of his life, Babongile’s journey becomes one of renewed hope, restored opportunity, and the reminder that compassion can rewrite even the hardest stories. Click to read the story

 

Podcasts/Radio Stories/Video Stories

A Big Step by The Big Bang
Written by: Damilola Decker, Ekaale Epakan, Gugulethu Mthembu, Yordanos Ashenati

Synopsis: This is a story about gender-based violence and a young boy who decided that enough was enough. After years of witnessing his father’s abuse towards his mother, he found the courage to speak out. During a school play, he stood before everyone attending and shared his story. Through this brave act, the boy ultimately helped save his mother from years of domestic violence.

 

The Scars that Bloom 

Written by: Mwandida Theu, Adda Danto – Khanyo Farise and Thandeka – Madikgomo More

Synopsis: This is a story of a young widow who survived trauma and used her story to inspire the world to pursue justice. Narrated by Mwandida Theu, Adda Danto – Khanyo Farise and Thandeka – Madikgomo More

 

The Seed that Spoke

Written by: Bonga Gobile, Hawah Maria Kone, Ellen Kugblenu, Dr. Fetlework Workineh Asress

Synopsis: This is a story of resilience, centred on a young girl who lost her parents and was raised by her grandmother during a time of unrest. Her grandmother’s deepest hope was for Lindiwe to attend school so she could build a better life and future. Education, she believed, is the key to success — a powerful tool that can challenge and transform unjust systems, including apartheid.

 

Freedom of Expression

Written by Mary Maacah and Etienne Zounde

Languages: English & French

Synopsis:This story highlights the ongoing struggle of university students fighting for their right to quality education. It follows their collective stand against inadequate accommodation, rising fees, and the victimisation they often face from university staff. Through courage and solidarity, these students continue to challenge systems that undermine their dignity and access to fair learning conditions.

 

Africa Hub Summer School Storytelling Workshop Facilitators:

Prof. Fiona Anciano, University of Western Cape, South Africa  – Co-Investigator

Babongile Bidla, University of Western Cape, South Africa  -Research Assistant

 

Read more about the Africa Hub Summer School here.