History of Zintsomi Storytelling and Publishing

Zintsomi is a storytelling hub dedicated to preserving and promoting African stories and storytellers. Founded by Dr. Nomsa Mdlalose, a renowned folklorist, writer, and social entrepreneur, Zintsomi has become a beacon for the professionalization of storytelling in South Africa.

Origins and Vision Zintsomi was born out of Dr. Mdlalose’s passion for African oral literature and her desire to nurture and promote storytelling as a professional career. With over 20 years of experience in storytelling, creative writing, and publishing, Dr. Mdlalose envisioned a platform where African stories could be shared, celebrated, and preserved.

Early Years In its early years, Zintsomi focused on training and mentoring aspiring storytellers, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the field. The company also began creating storytelling products and services for both children and adults, aiming to make African stories accessible to a wider audience.

Growth and Expansion As Zintsomi gained recognition, it expanded its reach by partnering with schools, community groups, and cultural organizations. Dr. Mdlalose’s storytelling performances and workshops became popular, drawing attention to the rich heritage of African storytelling. The company also received funding from the National Arts Council of South Africa, which helped it implement innovative projects and create job opportunities for women and youth across the country.

Products and Innovations Zintsomi has developed a range of products, including the storytelling doll Khalulu the Storyteller, which has become a beloved figure among children. The company has also modernized storytelling through read-along books, digital and audio stories, and is working on animating stories for digital media. Additionally, Zintsomi is venturing into the realms of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to provide immersive storytelling experiences.

Achievements and Impact Zintsomi has made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of African stories. The company has published numerous children’s books, organized storytelling summits, and conducted workshops to inspire new generations of storytellers. Dr. Mdlalose’s dedication to the art of storytelling has earned her several accolades, including the 2015 Imbokodo Award for the promotion of African languages and storytelling.

Educational Initiatives Zintsomi has created a unique storytelling course, the first of its kind on the African continent. This course aims to boost worldwide recognition of African storytelling traditions and techniques once implemented.

Future Directions Looking ahead, Zintsomi aims to continue its mission of nurturing and promoting African storytelling. The company plans to expand its reach through digital platforms, create more storytelling products, and collaborate with international partners to share African stories with the world.

Dr Nomsa Mdlalose is a folklorist, researcher, writer, storyteller and social entrepreneur. She is a published author of several children’s books, academic articles, poetry etc. and has been telling stories for many years in South Africa and internationally. Mdlalose is the founder of the storytelling company, Zintsomi and a founding member of Kwesukela storytelling Academy. 

She provides storytelling training and designs storytelling programs for companies and individuals.  And provides mentorship to community groups and individuals in art as well as business skills. She has over 20 years of experience in storytelling, creative writing, writing and publishing. And holds a Storytelling Masters Degree from Tennessee State University in the States and a Doctorate Degree in Folklore from Wits University, where she specialised in African oral Literature and Linguistics.

Dr Mdlalose is the winner of the 2015 Imbokodo award for the promotion of African languages and storytelling. Has sat on the literature panel of the National arts council of South Africa and Freedom Park council and is currently a board member of the Southern African Folklore Society.  

She drew her initial cultural knowledge from her mother, S’bongile Dlamini, who is gifted in African spirituality and healing.