The opening night of the inaugural Khuma Film Festival got off to a great start with a slew of guests, esteemed guest speakers and a hearty keynote address by the former CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang.
On from February 21 to 24 (2024), the opening event also drew the support of some of South Africa’s much-loved entertainment personalities, many of whom hails from the small Khuma township in Klerksdorp, North West. Among them was actor Robert Mpisi (‘Gomora‘), award-winning screen, stage and voice actor born in Klerksdorp, Didintle Khunou (‘Isono‘, ‘The Throne’) and the former ‘Generations: The Legacy‘ actor Thembile Botman.
Celebrated actor and motivational speaker, Israel Matseke-Zulu, and ‘Tjovitjo‘ filmmaker Vincent Moloi have been roped in to help facilitate various film industry talks, workshops and engagements session with the hope of inspiring young people to imagine themselves as future stars, directors, producers and to take time to learn about some of the many available career they can pursue in the film industry.
Hatang, who attended in his capacity as the founder and CEO of Hatang Mmoho, urged young people to follow their dreams in spite of obstacles standing in their way.
He used a tragic, family experience which almost resulted in his death and that of his children as an analogy to encourage a crowd of young people gathered for the opening night at the Hoerskool Stilfontein to “stay the course, trust in the Lord to take care of your troubles.”
The first resident of Khuma, the Executive Mayor James Ntsulela also delivered words of encouragement, both to the director of the festival, Ms Naomi Mokhele and to the young people gathered at the festival.
Furthermore, he thanked all the principals who have committed to support the film festival and allow their learners to attend a series of inspiring workshops earmarked for their benefit.
“We are gathered here in celebration of one of our own, Ntsulela said in reference to Mokhele’s commendable work in putting together an event of this importance and magnitude. “Most of us when we watch TV, we wait eagerly for the credits at the end in order to see if we can spot someone we know and the woman behind this festival is one of those people who have flown our flag high.”
The Major added: “We rarely see people who leave their homes come back to plough back into their communities. What I am saying is that, as Khuma, we do have talented people among us. In fact, Khuma is the heart of this province and not just Matlosana as a city. This festival is a platform that we must use to change the lives of our people.”
Khuma Film Festival Opening Film: Who’s My Daddy
Made possible through a partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the vibrant Doctor Kaunda Municipal District will this weekend be a hype of activity as community members, learners, graduates of Khuma township and surrounding areas come to celebrate all things South African film.
A diverse range of films from both emerging and established filmmakers, celebrating the art of storytelling through the medium of film will be the order of day. The opening night, strictly by invitation, took off with a bang with the opening film, Who’s My Daddy, a comedy film starring award-winning funny man David Kau and hilarious Alfred Ntombela.
Other films on the line up include, ‘My Business‘, ‘The Thorn‘, both screening on Thursday, with ‘The Honeymoon‘, ‘Red Room‘ and ‘Magadi‘ scheduled for Friday.
Those keen to learn about the ins and outs of television and filmmaking, there’ll be free workshops – running interchangeably with the film screenings – from Thursday to Saturday at the Khuma City Hall.
