Loss-iLahleko (A National Choreopoem): The Audio Experience invites you on a heartfelt journey of loss and return. This audio adaptation brings the choreopoem from the full-length book Loss-iLahleko (A National Choreopoem) to life, offering a deeply moving literary and sonic experience.

The full-length book is a richly layered work with four parts: a multilingual choreopoem exploring loss through songs and poems by South African female authors in Indigenous languages and English; short South African stories reflecting the lived experiences of countless women and children, including Finding Katlego and Palesa's Lockdown Escape by Elaine Pillay, Elo Phupho by Bulelwa Sigcau, and Fizza by Qhali; motivational reminders offering hope; and key information on Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Each piece sensitively weaves forms of GBV into a tapestry of voices that speak to resilience, suffering, and healing.

This audiobook immerses listeners in the vivid worlds of the choreopoem, seamlessly moving between English and South Africa’s Indigenous languages. It reflects the resilience, trauma, and strength of women and children while echoing the languages of their mothers, bearing witness to the persistent uncertainty and lack of security in the land they call home.

Loss-iLahleko is SA’s first multilingualised book series on GBV, written and translated into 11 books by extraordinary South African female writers in all the country’s official languages. To explore the full book, visit the publisher’s website.

Trigger Warning: This experience includes themes of GBV which may be distressing for some listeners. Please listen with care.

Executive Producer, Producer, Creative Director, Curator, Music Co-Producer & Arranger: Qhali

Music Composer, Sound Engineer, Sound Design & Post Production: Yaw Bannerman

Music Co-Producer, Lead Music Performer, Arranger: Lasta

Music Performer 2: Nonkuthalo Kolweni