Celebrating Cultural Heritage

I am a South African-born woman with a deep passion for nature and storytelling. My childhood was marked by vivid tales shared by my cousins in our native language, Xhosa, under the starlit sky. The pivotal moment in recognizing my responsibility toward nature occurred during visits to my grandmother in the Eastern Cape, where I was taught the importance of protecting and respecting imvelo (Xhosa word for “nature”). These lessons permeated every aspect of my life, from my interactions with soil and animals to the mindful way I communicated with the natural world. My profound appreciation for the ocean and its conservation stems from these early teachings. Learning that the ocean harbours a rich tapestry of fauna and flora inspired my desire to delve deeper into understanding this intricate web of life. Motivated to safeguard this diversity for future generations, I pursued studies in Marine Biology.

This love for storytelling has led me to apply for filming grants. I was successful and have been working on a short documentary titled "Mother Fish Trap". The film aspires to rekindle a sense of pride in the wealth of traditional knowledge that Africa possesses, especially in the realm of sustainable fishing methods. Through the lens of our narrative, we aim to instil in our audience an appreciation for the profound cultural heritage embedded in these practices—a heritage that stands resilient against the tide of contemporary challenges.

Due to unforeseen travel expenses depleting my contingency funds I have set up this Back A Buddy account.  To bring this project to its full potential and ensure a compelling narrative, I now seek funding for the crucial post-production phase.

An important aspect of our storytelling mission is to underscore the inherent value of traditional knowledge. We recognize the impermanence of this wealth of wisdom and are committed to preserving it through the medium of our film. In doing so, we aim not only to document but to actively contribute to the safeguarding of this knowledge, preventing its erosion in the face of modernity.

I am fortunate to have a dedicated team ready to finalize the project, their commitment unwavering. While it is essential to honor their contributions by ensuring fair and accurate compensation, aligning with the principles of ethical storytelling, each team member has graciously agreed to work just below their standard rate, emphasizing their passion for this project and the collective commitment to its success.

The requested funds will directly contribute to compensating the team appropriately, fostering a collaborative and respectful environment. This financial support is pivotal in upholding the integrity of our storytelling process and achieving a high-quality final product that does justice to the significance of the narrative we have captured.

The following budget reflects the agreed compensation for the team as negotiated earlier this year:

ITEM

COST (R)

EDITOR 

9000

DIRECTORS

11000

CO-PRODUCERS

4000

SOUND ENGINEER

3100

COLOUR-GRADER

3000

NARRATORS

3000

RECORDING STUDIO

3865

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

HAS VOLUNTEERED

TOTAL

33 100