Maponya Mall: Learning made fun at cinema

Edutainment became the new buzz word for learners at Emshukantambo Secondary School from Pimville as they witnessed visual history at the Ster-Kinekor Cinema at Maponya Mall on Friday.

The adaptation of the story of freedom fighter Solomon Mahlangu, from a textbook to a movie for the learners.

“Kalushi” the movie talks about the trials and tribulations of Mahlangu who was accused by the apartheid state of collectively committing a crime of murder of two white civilians in Johannesburg.

The state did not want to hear any evidence disassociating him from the crime scene.

The freedom struggle takes the young hawker from Mamelodi to Mozambique and ultimately to Angola.

At the camps, the fighters are fatigued and want to go back home to fight the racist regime.

This is the turning point of the movie directed by Mandlakayise Walter Dube jr. The commanders have their hands full in trying to call for discipline amongst the young recruits.

In one scene vivacious Mondy Johannes Motloung shoots non-stop at a target depicting the face of Dr Hendrik Verwoerd, the notorious SA republic prime minister during the sixties.

Verwoerd has the unenviable accolade of being the “architect of apartheid”.

On their return, the MK unit under Mahlangu decides to go to Soweto “to give our people hope”.

This becomes the second turning point of the movie.Mahlangu is shot in the leg by a white “civilian” and his comrade Motloung is badly injured – also by white civilians. Both are taken into custody, and as they say, the rest is history.

Mahlangu recites his famous speech: “My blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of freedom. Tell my people that I love them. They must continue the fight”.

What makes these words significant in this part of the film is that Mahlangu has resolved to die for freedom.

This movie will undoubtedly catapult the “Sobukwe: A Great Soul” (2011) cinematographer to some cult status in the entertainment circles as it boasts some of the country’s finest young thespians.

Mahlangu is played by Thabo Rametsi, Pearl Thusi plays Kalushi’s girlfriend, storyteller Dr Gcina Mhlophe plays Solomon’s mother and Thabo Malema plays the zealous Motloung.