Intsomi: Bringing Families Back Together – Miri-Joan de Wet

The word Intsomi, meaning the telling of folk stories in Xhosa, has become a symbol of much more for certain members of the UCKAR staff. It has become synonymous with family time, community, education and much more. Through Intsomi, parents who did not have this opportunity when they were young, are given the tools to strengthen family bonds and play an active role in their children’s education.

Thandie Mgqobhele has expressed how she has become involved in her child’s education through the project. “It’s not only the teacher’s responsibility to build the children’s future,” Mgqobhele said at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon. “We, as parents, must also take responsibility. We need to work together!”

Since the start of the Intsomi program in 2015, as part of the Vice-Chancellor’s Education Initiative, this program has changed the lives of over a hundred families in the Grahamstown area. It is part of the Rhodes University Parent Engagement Program and aims to empower the learners of public schools in the area as well as their parents. The program enables parents to read age and language appropriate books, which are provided by the Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) office, to their children.

The program is based on the theory that children need multiple stakeholders in their literacy development. Intsomi is the only one of its kind implemented in universities in South Africa and hopes to expand in the future. The benefits of the program stretch far beyond what was expected initially.

Parents involved in the program described, at Wednesday’s press conference, how the program has improved both the reading and writing of their children. Many also mentioned a definite improvement in the parent-child relationship and stronger family bonds that have developed. The program has not only improved the literacy education of children in Grahamstown, but has promoted the idea of reading for pleasure, enjoyment and not only for academic purposes. Children have also been able to form meaningful relationships with their peers, where they can share stories and expand their young imaginations.

It has nurtured an essential emotional connection and love for stories. For the parents involved, as well as their children, books have become the quietest and most loyal friends. The program has revealed books to be the most accessible and wisest councillors. Intsomi has proved that through reading, books can become the most patient of teachers.