About Us

“Sinomlando” is a Zulu word meaning “we have a history”.

Sinomlando Centre for Oral History and Memory Work in Africa (Sinomlando) was established in 1996 at the University of KwaZulu Natal within the then School of Theology, currently the School of Religion Philosophy and Classics. Since 2013 Sinomlando has operated as a fully-fledged NPO while maintaining links with the university to strengthen research as a component in the work of the organisation. Using the methodologies of oral history and memory work, Sinomlando retrieves the silenced memories of local communities in Africa with special reference to women, children, people living with HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, discrimination and political violence.

Sinomlando MileStones

About Us

Sinomlando is a training organisation and to date has worked with over 300 organization’s. Sinomlando establishes partnerships with different types of organization’s ranging from NPOs, CBOs, private and public institutions. The organization conducts pilot projects after which implemented in collaboration with partnering organizations.

Vision: People with forgotten, silenced and traumatised memories retrieve their history and develop resilience. 

Mission: To collaboratively build capacity through training in oral history and memory work with partner organisations collectively extending our reach to communities in a sustainable manner. 

Sinomlando executes signed agreements with partners or affiliates prior to embarking on working on projects together. Partnerships are governed through partnership agreements or memoranda of understanding which stipulate the nature of the partnership and expectations from all entities in the partnership. Partnerships happen in various types and forms namely, short term, medium term and long-term partnerships. The partnerships are determined by the needs and available funding. Funding models for partnerships differ and range from joint funding and single or independent funding.