Soweto Theatre screens Sarafina to mark June 16

13 June 2016

 

Every Friday afternoon 22-year-old Masego Kgabosele joins her friends at Gandhi Square in the Johannesburg CBD to unwind after another tough week. 

 

However, this past Friday Kgabosele and her friends changed their chaf pozi.

Instead of chilling at the magnificent Johannesburg landmark, they decided to shift their attention to weightier matters: politics, history and the struggle for liberation. She and her mates were among throngs of Soweto residents who watched the free screening of Mbongeni Ngema’s Sarafina! at the iconic Soweto Theatre in Jabulani in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the June 16 1976 Soweto uprising courtesy of the City of Johannesburg.

The screening of one of the most gripping South African films depicting the students’ rise against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black schools forms part of the City of Johannesburg’s comprehensive programme to mark the historic event.

Starring Tony award-winning South African actress Leleti Khumalo, American screen legend and Grammy award-winner Whoopi Goldberg and the late “Lady of Song” Miriam Makeba, the film will be screened at the City’s theatres until Saturday June 25. Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor will also host free screenings of Sarafina! at select cinemas on Youth Day Thursday June 16. Participating cinemas include Bedford Centre, Carlton Centre, Clearwater Mall, Eastgate Mall, Galleria, The Glen, Maponya Mall, Newtown Junction, Sandton and Southgate.

About 270 people were at the Soweto Theatre to witness the first free screening of Sarafina! on Friday. Kgabosele, who lives in Dobsonville, said she had watched the film more than once before and every time she did she learned something new. It always gave her more wisdom and courage as young student.

“I first watched Sarafina! when I was little but it never loses its appeal on me. Watching it has left me with one question: Do the youth of today have the same spirit and courage as the youth of 1976?

“I personally wonder if I’d have had the courage to endure all the things they had been subjected to and still have the strength to come out and fight for my country,” she said.

Kgabosele said the current generation of youth could learn a lot from the film. She said the film showed great commitment and vision by the Class of 1976. 
Soweto Theatre Marketing Manager Robert Motseko said the film saluted and honoured brave young people who took to the streets to fight for their freedom.

“We’re essentially taking a look at our past and seeing how far we’ve come. We want to see whether we’ve achieved the freedom that our brothers and sisters fought for.

“By hosting this film for free, we’re giving answers to our youth and showing them where we come from as a nation,” says Motseko.

Bonolo Tsoko, 21, of Orlando West, said today’s youths were better off as a result of the sacrifices of the heroes and heroines of 1976.

“This is a good reminder of where we come from as a nation. We're free today because of the 1976 uprising,” he added.