Recording an elder

1 Ask first, in person

• Visit the elder before the day you record. Explain what Setso is: their words kept for the children of QwaQwa, with their name on them.
• Tell them they can say no, stop at any time, or ask later for the recording to be taken down.
• Agree beforehand what will not be talked about. Never ask about lebollo or other sacred matters.
• If it would make them more comfortable, bring someone they know and trust.

2 Get ready

• A quiet room. Indoors, the radio and TV off, away from the road, wind and animals.
• Your phone on flight mode, so calls and messages don't cut in or buzz on the recording.
• Charge the phone. Space is not a worry: an hour of voice recording is small.
• Use the phone's voice recorder. Record sound only. Use video only when the elder shows you something, such as how a blanket is worn.
• Put the phone down. Lay it on a table or a folded cloth, about a forearm's length from the elder, microphone towards them. Holding it in your hand makes rubbing noise.

3 Start every recording with consent

Press record, then say these words out loud before anything else. This is what makes the recording trustworthy if anyone questions it later.

4 While you record

Say the name of the custom before you start each topic. Then let the elder talk. Pauses are fine. Don't stop the recording in the middle of a story. These are the questions the panel needs answered:

• What is it, and when does it happen?
• Who does what, and in what order?
• What words are said? Ask them to say the words as they would on the day.
• Why is it done this way?
• Do other families do it differently? Other clans, church families.
• Who taught you this?

5 After you record

• Play back the first few seconds to check it recorded.
• Do not cut, edit or add music. Send the original file exactly as the phone saved it. That untouched file is the record if anyone disputes it later.
• Thank the elder. Tell them the panel will listen, and that you will let them know what was decided.

6 Send it in

What happens next

1. RECEIVED

   The original is stored privately and sealed with a digital fingerprint, so any later change would show.

2. PANEL LISTENS

   The elders' panel listens at its next sitting.

3. PANEL DECIDES

   Keep in the archive, publish short clips, ask for a follow-up visit, or not keep it.

4. YOU HEAR BACK

   You and the elder get an SMS with the decision.

If an elder changes their mind, we take the public clips down straight away. If they ask, we delete the recording too.