A KHAYELITSHA writing forum is empowering young people with creative writing skills so they can pursue writing as a career

Madoda Gcwadi, 42, director of Ikapa Writers Forum, said they had trained about 300 young people from Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Langa and Somerset West since they started the project in 2008. They offer skills in writing memoirs, novels, drama, poetry and short-stories.

Gcwadi, a former teacher, said the forum had helped publish 20 books - mostly in isiXhosa - and was busy translating them into English and other African languages.

The forum has joined forces with Khayelitsha's Masiyile High School in a bid to promote a culture of reading and writing in African languages in the the township.

Gcwadi, who has written six books, said: "People who are learning these skills include people living with Aids or victims of domestic violence or abuse. We also believe that telling and writing about your personal experiences could also contribute to the healing process."

He said social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MXit were contributing to low standards and low pass rates in schools.

Thandikhaya Ncosana, 28, of Khayelitsha said he joined the forum in September and the skills he learnt would change his life for the better.

Ncosana and his friend were hijacked and robbed of their microbus by armed criminals in Khayelitsha in 2009, and he was also robbed of his cellphone last month.

"I think my personal experiences and that of other people will help me when I write my book" he said.

A 25-year-old woman, who asked not be named for a fear of reprisals, said her self-esteem was boosted after she joined the forum this year.

The woman, who also wants to become an author and motivational speaker, said she was raped by her friend when she was 16 years old in 2001 and also gang-raped in 2002.