TIMBUKTU IN THE VALLEY
TIMBUKTU IN THE VALLEY
Timbuktu in the Valley is the evolving creation of photographer and social worker Lungile Hlatshwayo and journalist Victoria Schneider, later joined by stiltwalker Lassie Ndalela, otherwise known as ‘Lasman da Stuntman’. Lungi and Victoria were working separately in VY Commons in Victoria Yards when they were approached by two local boys who asked them for help to fix their bicycles. The two women helped the boys, while demonstrating how they could learn to do the repairs themselves. That same day, an artist who was working in the space at the time, shared some of his techniques and drawing materials with the boys. They came back with friends the next day, and by the end of that week there were eight children eager to learn new skills and create their own works of art. This ethos of independence and self-reliance became the cornerstone of what was to become Timbuktu in the Valley.
Originally operating from the VY Commons shared working space, Lungi and Victoria quickly realised that there were large numbers of children in the neighbourhood, many from other African countries, who would benefit from a programme of support grounded in principles of diversity and inclusion. They managed to raise funds and donations in kind, and began to offer after-school, and some school-holiday learning opportunities based in the arts. In mid-2019 they were able to move into their own studio space in Victoria Yards, while registering as a non-profit organisation named in honour of Timbuktu, at one time the most famous learning and cultural centre in Africa.
Timbuktu in the Valley is now a welcoming and well-equipped learning space where Lungi, Victoria and ‘Uncle Lassie’ as he is known to the children, provide local children with a range of learning opportunities including arts and crafts, a growing library comprising mainly African literature, food gardening, nutrition advice, and cooking lessons.
