The Youth Identity project recently held its second workshop in Calitzdorp, WC. This workshops was built upon the insights learned in the first dialogue, as well as the needs identified by our young people.

 Conversations centered on trauma- what is trauma, how does it get passed on, and how do people react to trauma?

It was a profoundly deep and eye-opening experience for each person. Adding further complexity to the conversations was the presence and contributions of parents, grandparents and community elders in the space. We need more intergenerational conversations grounded in transparency and compassion!

We ended the week with a walking tour and reflection of Bergsig guided by Nonna and others. There is a danger of forgetting our history, our heritage- all of which inform our identity and sense of belonging. With the walk, older people found themselves remembering past experiences, especially during apartheid years, and young people eagerly absorbed this knowledge- jotting down points and filming the stories of their elders. This was commemorative memory in action.