Even though the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed the ugly side of the country, including some unpalatable acts of thievery, it has also revealed another side of South Africans – generosity and kindness.
In her book, Archive of Kindness, North-West University's (NWU’s) Dr Jess Auerbach chronicles some of these kind acts she observed from ordinary residents during the 2020 lockdown in South Africa.
Produced to the highest standard, the book is becoming an important record of the pandemic, enabling further national reflection on the most positive aspects of South African society.
Senior lecturer in social anthropology Dr Auerbach began to document these “micro-kindnesses” and created a website to record them, which received significant international and local attention. She later expanded this archive with the help of her students at the NWU, ultimately recording approximately 2 000 stories of remarkable kindness and care.
"The book is aimed at a broad audience – in fact, for everyone in South Africa. It is so easy to become saddened by news stories and the many challenges we face, because bad news sells. There is also a lot of good though, and the book aims to amplify that, and to reassure us as citizens that all is not lost," she says.
The Archive of Kindness stories are now recorded in a beautiful book that has been illustrated by rising artist and recent graduate of the Ruth Prowse School of Fine Art, Jethro Longwe.
One of the students involved in the project says the Archive of Kindness opened her eyes.
“It showed me that life is more than just going to university, getting a job, marrying and settling down. It is about how you treat other people and finding your purpose. Being kind makes me feel good - as if it is adding to my purpose and helping me to achieve it.”
Another student shares that above all, this platform taught her that if she wanted to see certain things happen, she should take a leap of faith and initiate them herself.
“When I first heard about the Archive of Kindness I thought to myself ‘wow’! I think that above everything this project has taught me to act and not react. The archive definitely changed my perspective of South Africa in terms of how we usually see our country. South Africa is known to be a violent country by many of its residents. It is so easy to become saddened by news stories and the many challenges we face because bad news sells. There is also a lot of good though, and the book aims to amplify that and to reassure us as citizens that all is not lost.”.
The book Archive of Kindness will be launched on 15 September during an online event which will include a discussion with the author, students involved in the project and international academics. Those interested to attend can register here.
Dr Jess Auerbach is a senior lecturer in social anthropology at the NWU’s School of Social Sciences. She is also a researcher with the Optentia research unit’s Technology, Capability and Functioning sub-programme.
Photo (book)
