By Radio KC 107.7 MHz, South Africa
A community media project in the Paarl Valley has sparked renewed interest in Khoikhoi heritage, identity, and oral history among local communities tracing their roots to the region’s first people. The initiative, called Sida Dommi (Our Voice/Ons Stem), was led by local station Radio KC with support from Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Media Fund.
Over the span of 10 months, 20 participants, including Elders, youth, heritage workers, activists, and 2SLGBTQ+ community members, worked together to research, record, and produce stories from their own neighborhoods. The project resulted in eight documentary episodes that captured the lived experiences, cultural knowledge, and memories of Indigenous families across the valley. The goal was to celebrate Indigenous people, honor the resilience of their forefathers, and share stories of hope.
What started as a technical media training program soon became a deep cultural and emotional journey. Workshops led by cultural practitioners Denver Toroga Breda and Basil Coetzee introduced participants to Khoikhoi language, identity, and decolonized ways of thinking. A key needs assessment workshop at the Manyano Centre became a powerful space for healing. Coetzee’s presentations on false history and heritage and Breda’s sessions on language awareness led to emotional and honest conversations. Organizers said the sessions helped participants face the emotional impact of reclaiming their Indigenous identity and reflect on their histories with greater clarity
The project faced some practical and cultural challenges. Radio KC went through internal changes during the project, including the departure of its station manager at the end of 2025. Early budget and role misunderstandings also led to a restructuring of responsibilities. But the biggest challenges were tied to history and identity. Very little of the Indigenous history of local Brown communities has been properly researched or documented, which places great pressure on oral history and collective memory. Identity debates also came up often. While some participants proudly identified with Khoi culture, organizers noted that many are still struggling with that identity—a result of long-term trauma from racial classification and cultural suppression in the region.
Despite these challenges, the project created a safe space for participants to reconnect with their heritage, and its impact is already spreading through the wider community. Interest in heritage has grown, especially among young people who are now asking questions about their ancestry and identity. The project has also strengthened partnerships with the Paarl Museum, the Afrikaans Language Monument, the Athlone Institute, and several local churches.
For the participants, the experience was deeply meaningful. Sharon Stanfliet said the research and production work changed her life. John Abrahams praised the team’s dedication and said he would like to work with them again in future. Laina Settley said the project opened a door to her own heritage and gave her hope to keep going.
The eight documentary episodes are now complete and ready for broadcast on KC 107.7, Eden FM, Valley FM, and online platforms. The episodes cover topics that came directly from community research, including land justice, language revival, Elders’ stories, healing from colonial trauma, Indigenous medicine, and Khoikhoi food traditions. This is only the beginning of a larger movement. Because each topic deserves deeper discussion, organizers believe the eight episodes could grow into a full miniseries, with many more untold stories still waiting to be shared in the region.
In a valley where Indigenous voices were long silenced, Sida Dommi has helped bring them forward again. Through community media and shared storytelling, the project has restored pride, belonging, and cultural confidence among Khoikhoi-descended families, showing that the stories of the region’s First People are now being carried forward by a new generation determined to reclaim its history.
In 2025, Radio KC, received a grant from Cultural Survival’s Indigenous Community Fund, which provides opportunities for journalism, broadcasting, audio editing, technical skills, and more for community media from Indigenous communities around the world. In 2025 CS awarded a total of $502,000 to 63 Indigenous communication projects that will benefit Indigenous Peoples in 29 countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Colombia, United States of America, Philippines, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Honduras, Mali, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Chile, Canada, Panama, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Nicaragua, and Tanzania.
