2025 is the second year that African Traditional Spirituality has been part of the Grade 10 CTII Schools curriculum. A deep dive into Interfaith, especially within the African context, must include an exploration of the traditions, practices and rituals that have existed for millennia. To that end, CTII is honoured to have the support and input of Dr Christie (Gogo Bazimile) van Zyl who works as the University of Cape Town’s first indigenous healthcare advisor within the Student Welfare Services.
First, we made the most of our beautiful surroundings. We had decided to hold the session in the Rondevlei Nature Reserve (25 Aug 2025) to provide our learners with the opportunity to feel closer to our natural environment. We were generously welcomed by Bronwen Foster, Conservation Officer for The City of Cape Town, who spoke about the importance of nature reserves and protecting the environment for the good of all.
The evidence of how we humans and all other species often co-habit unsustainably was clear: the encroachment of urbanisation, development, and waste upon the wildlife and indigenous plants of the vlei was obvious to all. We were reminded that ubuntu is in fact our relationship with everything, and our inter-dependent connection with Mother Nature.
Dr Christie then expertly and lovingly led the learners on a journey of discovery. She held space with great warmth, knowledge and understanding. Her presentation grappled with our complex history, unpacking what African Traditional Spirituality is and the effect that colonialism has had, while also interweaving her own personal stories of struggle and re-learning. A dynamic Q&A session then ensued. We were impressed by how engaged all the learners were – it sparked rich conversation that continued long after the session had ended. Clearly a deep chord had been struck.
One of our guests to the afternoon was Veliswa Ntsume, a mature student in Christian theology, who remarked:
”These sessions are of great significance to our young, to sharpen their sense of belonging, to iron out any identity-related confusions, and to invite their curiosity and hunger to learn more about themselves, their ancestry and traditions”.
Veliswa Ntsume
Melanie Slavin, one of the staff from Herzlia, who has been with the Programme since its foundation in 2011, was particularly moved and inspired by the experience.
“I often think of the intergenerational trauma that exists in South Africa and we carry a burden because of it…I have never really confronted the profound impact of the denial and loss of indigenous spiritual systems on people- the severing of connection to spiritual ecosystems that imposed individualism and dispossession on a very deep cellular level.”
Melanie Slavin, Hertzlia
Ann Paton, member of CTII, volunteer on the Youth Programme, and trauma counselling specialist was struck by the questions which the session raised: how do we reclaim that which was discarded and disinherited? A disinheritance which is both subtle and unsubtle. How does one come back to a full identity and allow an ancient knowing? As Ann remarked,
“Today we are all a mix of so many traditions; we are, in essence, interfaith.”
Ann Paton
We were treated to an opportunity to really see, hear and know one another as Africans. The session with Dr Christie gave African Traditional Spirituality its proper place and belonging. So much of our national and global healing, and what is necessary for humanity, rests on the resurgence and preservation of this ancient knowledge. The respect and awareness generated that day was a gift for us all to carry forward in our journeys, both individually and collectively. It’s a hard journey and a brave journey, but a necessary one.
