A citizen of Pietermaritzburg who made a name for herself presenting television and sports programs on SABC1, Lindani Mbense, has revealed that the history of the country’s heroes who are still alive in different fields must be recorded.
To say this, his company Bespoke Nyathi Productions, launched a milestone on Mbongeni Ngema’s life This is my Storywhich will be shown at the Market Theatre, Newtown, Johannesburg.
Lindani revealed that this milestone is a series of games about different local heroes.
With this, he said he intends to give heroes the opportunity to tell their stories the way they want.
He said it took him five hours to record an interview with Ngema about his life and his statements about his entry into films and theater.
“He was confused as to what I wanted to do, but I explained to him and told him about the idea I had and he finally agreed. I didn’t have the equipment that is needed when filming a work like this but I was able to do the work, even though there was no financial support. I was doing this because of the love I have for stories like this really happen,” said Lindani.
He said that he has nothing in his mind to record the stories of celebrities speaking for themselves while they are still alive, which is something that should happen, so that when they pass by, they can be seen explaining their history.
“All we are left with is the things they did, they don’t talk about where they came from and where they are now. That’s why I chose to do a series of stories under one tree where I will sit down with different celebrities and talk about them and we can put that history because it will help us in the years to come,” he said.
He said that this milestone started in 2020 but the completion of everything that affects it ended last year when Ngema passed away.
He revealed that Madlokovu will be seen talking about meeting veterans including the late president Nelson Mandela, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, John Kani, Whoopi Goldberg, Mandisa Dlanga, Khanyo Maphumulo, Leleti Khumalo and others.
He said that since it came out last year, it has won awards including Best Documentary Feature Film at the Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film and Television Award and another one at the Umlazi International Film Festival.
He said that he has been nominated in other African events including Mashariki which is held in Kigali in Rwanda, Abibitumi which is held in Accra in Ghana and the Joburg Film Festival which is held in Johannesburg in this country.
He said that tomorrow’s event will be of a high standard as they have invited people including Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Hotstix Mabuse, Jerry Mofokeng, Angus Gibson, Kenneth Nkosi, Velephi Mnisi, Marks Maponyane, Meshack Mavuso, Mandisa Dlanga and other politicians.