A short visit with Lelethi Khumalo in Sandton
South African actress Lelethi Khumalo was in Sandton promoting the re-release of her phenomenal debut performance in SARAFINA!
SARAFINA! Lead actress Lelethi Khumalo visited Sandton this women’s month while promoting the re-release of SARAFINA! on August 11. According to Khumalo, although she’s enjoyed an illustrious career as a South African stage, film and television actress – she’s yet to actually perform in Sandton for the local theatre scene.
“I’ve performed in Johannesburg, at the Market Theatre. Sandton is more ‘upper-class’: the theatres which were accommodating were in Joburg. I was still young, and we started SARAFINA! in the thick of apartheid.”
Khumalo admits to experiencing varied emotions upon re-watching SARAFINA! on the silver screen again so many years later.
“We’ve lost a lot of talent which was part of SARAFINA!,” Khumalo said. “When I watch, it takes me back to the fun we had; It was our first film. We started something that we weren’t sure was going to go so far. It never dawned on us that we were starting a movement.”
According to Khumalo, it’s staggering how so many people identify with the film, and the characters portrayed – even in the present age. Khumalo believes that telling stories like SARAFINA! to the youth is an empowering exercise.
“It doesn’t die; it’s such an honour to have been a part of this,” said Khumalo. “It’s going to be there forever because people identify with the movie. History will always be there.”
Khumalo remains optimistic for the bright future for South Africa portrayed by Sarafina all those many years ago. According to her, the journey to leaving a lasting impact begins for any young woman in childhood and translates into their activities as they mature into women.
“It’s important as a girl child to know where you’re coming from, that you may know where you’re going. Respect yourself and know who you are. Know your history so that you know where you’re going. Once you know who you are, and you have respect for yourself, [then] you will go far.”
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/332609/sarafina-hits-different-on-the-big-screen/
