“When people think of Gugulethu, they think about the killing of the Gugulethu Seven by the apartheid government in the 1980s, or they think about the murder of activist Amy Biehl.
“Gugulethu history holds much more than these two tragedies,” says Geoff Mamputa, Gugulethu resident and a social activist, who is featured in a 17-minute documentary, Gugulethu our pride 60 years on.
The documentary, produced by Plexus Films, a female-run, Cape Town-based production company, features the likes of Dr Sindiwe Magona, who grew up in Gugulethu, and acted as a script adviser as well as being the narrator and a character; Mr Mamputa who is a lso a social activist and conflict resolution specialist; renowned businessmen Peter Motale; Patrick Duze, an ex-MK veteran and businessmen; Thembele Terra Dick, a filmmaker; Malusi Malefane, a young designer; and businesswomen Thuleka Duze – and has been nominated for the best use of footage in a short film production at the Focal International Awards 2019, in celebration of the use of archival footage in film and beyond.
The documentary tracks a political timeline with major events: 1958 forced removals, 1976 students’ uprising and political consciousness in Black Consciousness Movement, 1980s political unrest and brutal police action, Gugulethu Seven and other political movements, 1990s democracy calling and the killing of Amy Biehl, and 1994 democracy and development in Gugulethu.
“This is a huge deal that we are extremely proud of and excited about. This is not only putting South Africa on the map, but our beloved township, Gugulethu. It’s time for Cape Town townships to change stereotypes, and let the world see we have a lot more to offer than poverty and crime,” said Gugulethu 60th project director, Phumzile Nteyi.
The documentary was commissioned by the Museum Service of the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, to mark the 60th anniversary of the area, that took place during the entire year of 2018. It juxtaposes archive material with contemporary material, to show how the past and the present are inseparable. The awards event will be on Thursday June 20, at the Troxy in London. The documentary can be viewed on the Cape Town Museum website, at www.capetownmuseum.org.za/updates/gugulethu-our-pride-60-years-on