Monique January reviews a powerful story of an interracial relationship
South Africa’s historical racial dynamics still loom in the present in interracial relationships like Monique and Leonard’s and remain constant reminders of the past despite the fight to move forward. (more…)
Temba Mkosi questions the film’s account of history
This short film directed by Petunia Mokoena is as gripping as most of the political documentaries made about the history of South Africa. The Bisho Massacre: Who Pulled the Trigger? explores the chilling accounts of the 1992 Bisho Massacre involving the African National Congress and the Ciskei Defence Force – a bloody chapter on the road to the first democratic elections of South Africa in 1994. The massacre is one of many events that remain swept under the carpet of South African history much like the 2012 Marikana Massacre involving the SAP. (more…)
Leago Mamabolo reviews a student production about naming and destiny.
How do we contextualise where we are from? The film Re Bo Mang? (Who are we?) does this by begging the question of, “what’s in a name?”. Centred around the directors, Karabo Magofe Mahlaela and Dimpho Edwin Mabodimo’s Pedi community, the film reveals that there are contesting opinions and views on the issue of how much impact a name has on one’s life. There are two main characters, Thomonodah Mohlala and Odirile Makola, whose stories the film follows. The film is screened in the South African Student Film category at Encounters 2020. (more…)
Claire O’Reilly reviews the Nigeria of patriarchy and progress portrayed in Mrs F from her lockdown kitchen.
Influence opens the Encounters festival.
Luvo Mnyobe takes a look at fake news and its effects
Young people turning to digital media for news has left traditional newsrooms in disarray. In just months of the pandemic lockdown we have seen legacy titles in daily newspapers and magazines disappear. The end of these titles is not just a loss for the journalists who worked for them but presents a threat to our already fragile democracy. (more…)
Production by Catherine White
In celebration of Youth Day 2020, we get to know a local dance group from Humansdorp, The Flame Crew. Dancing has kept them off the street and away from drugs. They are an example to the youth in their community who look up to them. We find out how they started and what they aim to do.