Voices of the Heartland is a vibrant collection of poems, stories and artwork created by young South Africans aged 9 to 20. The contributors come from a wide range of schools and communities, including Somerset West, Strand, Macassar and Graaff-Reinet, and responded to an open invitation from the Imibala Trust to share their perspectives on culture, identity and heritage through creative expression.
The result is a heartfelt and diverse collection that explores family, language, tradition, transformation and belonging, told through the honest and imaginative voices of children and teens. Some pieces celebrate ancestral customs, festive foods or personal faith, while others reflect on questions of self, memory and the future. The accompanying artwork is bold, expressive and often deeply symbolic, adding richness and visual texture to the written work.
This book is more than just a creative showcase. It is a platform for youth voices and a celebration of identity, pride and community.
This project was made possible through funding received from the City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Development: Grants-in-Aid programme. Thanks to this generous support, all proceeds from sales of Voices of the Heartland will go directly towards the Imibala Trust’s education and development programmes.
This is a book to read, to share and to treasure. It is a reminder of the power of young people when they are given the space to speak and be heard.