Thirty years ago, “Sarafina!” was produced by Anant Singh and his contemporaries for South African audiences. Millions of admirers both domestically and abroad adore this film.
The 1992 Cannes Film Festival gave this now-iconic movie, which depicts a demonstration against making Afrikaans an official school language, a rousing 20-minute standing ovation.
In order to commemorate the occasion, Singh organised a special showing of the ground-breaking movie in New York on September 21 in collaboration with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African Consulate General.
Leleti Khumalo and international actress Whoopi Goldberg, who co-starred in the movie 30 years ago, reconnected for the occasion.
Prince Albert of Monaco and cast members from the original production, including Ntombikhona Dlamini, Nandi Ndlovu, and Lindiwe Dlamini, also attended the ceremony.
Earlier this year, a unique 4K movie screening was also staged in South Africa.
“Sarafina!” is still relevant 30 years after its debut, according to Anant Singh.
“The movie is a celebration of the young women who participated in our freedom, the moms who made tremendous sacrifices throughout the Struggle, and our enduring heritage of activism.
“We had no idea when we began the movie-making process that Madiba would be freed from jail by the time it had its debut.
He attending the international premiere in Johannesburg thirty years ago is a great pleasure for us.
Mary Masembuko, a teacher portrayed by Goldberg, stated, “It’s lovely to be here. Leleti and Anant catch my eyes, and I think, “Wow, we accomplished this!”
“I’m growing old and there’s a celebration every couple of years and this is a 30-year anniversary. I am honoured to be here to see it.
“Keep talking to the youngsters, because they are going to repair it, they are going to make it happen, they are going to make change happen,” she remarked in reference to the relevancy of “Sarafina!” in today’s society.
“They are not polite, they are not going to bend when they see something wrong, and that’s what happened in the film, they just got tired and said no more.”
Khumalo said: “I lived the role of ‘Sarafina’ on stage, and I am grateful to Anant for believing in me to play the role in the film. I am thrilled to be here in person to celebrate this milestone and to share this special moment with Whoopi.”