What: Speel-Speel at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees Where: Stellenbosch University Museum
When: September 28 to October 6, 2024
Where: Stellenbosch
Cost: Free
Programme: https://woordfees.co.za/en/get-your-free-festival-guide-here/
For more info on Woordfees: https://thecaperobyn.co.za/festivals-play-is-the-theme-of-toyota-stellenbosch-woordfees-2024/  

Speel/Play is the theme of Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees and I was charmed to encounter the exhibition, Spee-speel (play-play) in the Stellenbosch University Museum. As noted in the programme [English version of Woordfees)), “it is an exhibition of toys and children’s games that will take you back to the carefree days of your childhood games. Remember when there were no computers? When “Aljander, Aljander so deur die bos”, “wegkruipertjie” or “vroteier”, rag dolls, porcelain dolls, Barbie, tops or marbles were part of your playground entertainment? You will find a joyful and nostalgic return to childhood in this delightful exhibition.”

It is a low-key exhibition, without artifice. There are no audio visuals or interactive play monitors. As I said I was charmed and fascinated by the exhibits which seem so old-school in our technological age such as paper-cut out dolls. Imagine!

I was fascinated by the Little Red Riding Hood Doll (Rooikappie). As explained in the exhibition note:  “Little Red Riding Hood is a unique doll, as it represents three figures. Little Red Riding Hood’s dress can be flipped upside down to become her grandmother with her own purple hood. When Grandmother is turned around, her hair becomes Wolf’s face.” See pic on this page.

I was very moved by Windmill (Windpomp- see featured image), on loan from Izikio Museum Cape Town which was made, according to the exhibition note, by “Sandisile Matya, a 16-year old isiXhosa boy from Cradock in the Eastern Cape … these creative toys are not only fun to play with, but also as their popularity has spread beyond their origin, a source of income to the teenage makers”.

Speel-speel is on as part of Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees from September 28 to October 6, 2024. It is a wistful and interesting exhibition. Entrance is free.

Little Red Riding Hood Doll (Rooikappie): “Little Red Riding Hood is a unique doll, as it represents three figures. Little Red Riding Hood’s dress can be flipped upside down to become her grandmother with her own purple hood. When Grandmother is turned around, her hair becomes Wolf’s face.” On exhibit at as part of Speel-speel at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees from September 28 to October 6, 2024. Pic Robyn Cohen/TheCapeRobyn.
Riener Reinet dolls: “During World War I, dolls were nowhere to be found in the rural areas. When a friend visited the Laubscher family of Graaf-Reinet with a rag doll from the United States of America, Annie one of the Laubscher daughters, was immediately inspired to copy the doll for a little girl and after that everybody in town wanted such a doll .” By 1916, the family employed 36 people and made 250 dolls a week. The factory closed in 1927. On exhibit at as part of Speel-speel at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees from September 28 to October 6, 2024. Pic Robyn Cohen/TheCapeRobyn. For more on these dolls, see https://nationalmuseumpublications.co.za/the-graaff-reinet-doll/

✳ Windmill (Windpomp) is on as part of Speel-speel at Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees from September 28 to October 6, 2024. Pic Robyn Cohen/TheCapeRobyn.