Classic South African Movies to Binge On

When talking about the African movie industry, SA classics are among the best. It doesn’t matter your preferred movie genre; these classics will entertain you always. They are rooted in true stories and remain evergreen. Here are Mzansi classics worth binge-watching.

Tsotsi 

Tsotsi’ is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most important films. Presley Chweneyagae stars as a young thug who accidentally kidnaps a baby during a carjacking. The film follows his struggle to overcome the harsh realities of township life while caring for the baby. Released in 2005 and directed by Gavin Hood, it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

The Gods Must Be Crazy 

This is a South African comedy movie released in 1980. The film began when a coca cola bottle dropped from the sky inside an African village. The villagers were surprised and believe it is from the gods. However due to the spread of jealousy and conflicts among them, Xi, a bushman, was determined to return the bottle. Setting off, he met different people along the way and had some funny moments. The movie is educational and shows the culture and tradition of different people. It is a classic movie that will put a smile on your face.

Mapantsula

The 1988 movie was directed by Oliver Schmitz and portrays the truth about apartheid in Johannesburg. Thomas Mogotlane (Panic), played the character of a petty criminal who wanted to survive on the streets. He tried evading police but was drawn into political activism. Although banned in the country for some time, it remains one of SA’s classics that tells the truth of what happened during apartheid.

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Cry,The Beloved Country 

This is an emotional South African movie set during the era of apartheid in Africa. The story is about a black reverend who goes to Johannesburg from his small village in search of his son. His view about city life changes when he sees his family struggles. The film shows how poverty, race and crime affects people. Khumalo (the priest) meets another white clergyman whose son was killed by Khumalo’s son. Despite the sorrow and pain, both men learnt a lot from one another with the aim of healing. The movie teaches about forgiveness, unity and how to effect change in a society despite all those obstacles.

Sarafina

Despite having been released over three decades ago, Sarafina! remains a top international movie. It was inspired by Mbongeni Ngema’s stage musical. The 1992 film talks about the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when students protested against apartheid education policies. Leleti Khumalo delivers a powerful performance that cemented her as one of South Africa’s finest actresses in the country. Hollywood actress Whoopi Goldberg also stars as a teacher who inspires her students to fight for change. At its heart, the film explores what apartheid meant for South African youth

Final Thoughts

These classics are beyond entertainment; they have cultural and social values. They show the voice and struggle of a nation that’s striving for perfection. It doesn’t matter if you have watched them before or how; they are timeless. Just sit down, grab a bottle of Amarula and popcorn, and watch stories that shape the South African movie industry.