Gugs documentary

NY50 Gugulethu residents sing at the heritage event held last year. They were joined by Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Zoe Kota, who was a guest speaker. Most of the people were wearing Xhosa attire known as Umbhaco, with the young girls who were dancing wearing Inkciyo.

Legacy projects which resulted from the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of Gugulethu, is a documentary called Gugulethu Our Pride 60 Years On.

Commissioned by the Museum Services and the provincial Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, the documentary honours people of Gugulethu who have built a vibrant community against the backdrop of forced removals.

It also features a cast of characters who have experienced Gugulethu since its inception, as well as a young population who were born and raised in the area.

The documentary was produced by Plexus Films, a female-run Cape Town-based production company, with Dr Sindiwe Magona who grew up in Gugulethu and features in the film, having filled the role of script adviser and narrator.

Also featuring in the documentary are Geoffrey Mamputa, a social activist and conflict resolution specialist; renowned businessmen Peter Motale; Patrick Duze, an ex-MK veteran and businessman; Thembele Terra Dick, a film-maker; Malusi Malefane, a young designer; and businesswoman Thuleka Duze.

“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 Amy Biehl. Gugulethu holds more than these two tragedies,” said Geoff Mamputa.

Three young film-makers were mentored during the making of the documentary – Athini Manona, Eeman Sing Lee and an up-and-coming Gugulethu film-maker Thembela Terra Dick, who was second cameraman on the production and also featured in it.

“We would also like to extend a special thanks to the African News Agency and the Independent Media Library at UCT; the Community Video Education Trust; UCT Library’s special collections; the Independent Newspaper archive and Black Sash Western Cape’s archive.