Zintsomi - Centurion - South Africa

Zintsomi is the creation of Nomsa Mdlalose, a trailblazer in storytelling. This company is dedicated to advancing leadership in the professionalisation of storytelling, aiming to commercialise the art by increasing the number of professional storytellers in the country. Zintsomi nurtures, promotes, and trains storytellers for careers in the creative arts, producing storytelling products and services for both children and adults interested in African narratives.

Dr. Nomsa Mdlalose, a folklorist, researcher, writer, storyteller, and social entrepreneur, is a published author of numerous children’s books, academic articles, and poetry. With extensive experience in South Africa and internationally, she founded Zintsomi and co-founded the Kwesukela Storytelling Academy.

Dr. Mdlalose offers storytelling training, designs storytelling programs for companies and individuals, and provides mentorship to community groups and individuals in both the arts and business skills. With over 20 years of experience in storytelling, creative writing, and publishing, she holds a Master’s Degree in Storytelling from Tennessee State University and a Doctorate in Folklore from Wits University, specialising in African oral literature and linguistics.

An esteemed figure in her field, Dr. Mdlalose received the 2015 Imbokodo Award for promoting African languages and storytelling. She has served on the literature panel of the National Arts Council of South Africa, the Freedom Park Council, and is currently a board member of the Southern African Folklore Society.

Dr. Mdlalose’s cultural knowledge is deeply rooted in the teachings of her mother, S’bongile Dlamini, who is gifted in African spirituality and healing.

Zintsomi is a company set up to develop leadership in the professionalisation of storytelling. The primary objective of the company is to commercialise the art of storytelling by increasing the number of professional storytellers in the country.
Zinstomi is storytelling hub that nurtures, promotes and places trained storytellers in  relevant positions in the workplace.  In addition, it creates storytelling products and services for children and adults interested in African stories.
Zinstomi is the brainchild of Nomsa Mdlalose, a pioneer in the art of Storytelling and vital in the establishment of “the Kwesukela Storytelling Academy,” based in Braamfontein. Ms Mdlalose has a background in drama, creative writing, journalism and storytelling.
She has a Masters Degree in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University and has trained storytellers to participate in festivals internationally. Her vision is to train and educate through the art of storytelling.