It’s been thirty years since producer Anant Singh and his colleagues delivered South Africans “Sarafina!,” a film that millions of local and worldwide fans cherish dear.
This now-iconic film, which depicts a protest against making Afrikaans the official school language, garnered a 20-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in 1992.
Leleti Khumalo (front, centre) in ‘Sarafina!’. Picture: File.
Singh, along with the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African Consulate General in New York, presented a special screening of the groundbreaking film on September 21 in New York to commemorate the occasion.
Whoopi Goldberg, who starred in the film 30 years ago, and Leleti Khumalo, a seasoned South African actress, reunited for the affair.
Prince Albert of Monaco and original cast members such as Ntombikhona Dlamini, Nandi Ndlovu, and Lindiwe Dlamini also attended the ceremony.
Whoopi Goldberg, Anant Singh, Prince Albert of Monaco, Vanashree Singh, and Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Image: Provided.
Earlier this year, a unique 4K cinema showing was also staged in South Africa.
Anant Singh stated that “Sarafina!” is still relevant thirty years after its premiere.
“The film celebrates the young women of our freedom, the mothers of the Struggle who made tremendous sacrifices, and our enduring heritage of action.
“When we began production on the film, we had no idea that by the time it premiered, Madiba would have been released from prison. We are quite fortunate that he attended the premiere in Johannesburg thirty years ago.”
Goldberg, who portrayed the teacher Mary Masembuko, stated, “It’s amazing to be here. I look at Leleti and Anant and think, wow, we really did this!
“I’m getting older, and every few years there’s a celebration; this is a thirty-year celebration. I am privileged to be alive for the celebration.”
She stated, in reference to the contemporary relevance of “Sarafina! “, “Keep talking to the youngsters, because they are going to fix it, make it happen, and bring about change.
The actresses Whoopi Goldberg and Leleti Khumalo. Image: Provided.
“They are impolite, they will not bend when they perceive something wrong, and that is exactly what happened in the film; they simply grew weary and stopped speaking.”
Khumalo stated, “I embodied the role of ‘Sarafina’ on stage, and I am grateful to Anant for having faith in me to play the part in the film. I am ecstatic to be present at this milestone celebration and to share this memorable occasion with Whoopi.”
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