SONGOLOLO VOICES OF CHANGE
Filmed in South Africa in late 1989, Songololo offers an exciting glimpse of the changes now taking place in that country. Avoiding the temptation to rehearse once again stories of the horrors of Apartheid by producing images of violence in the townships, Songololo deals instead with the emergence of a new, black, popular culture. This emergent culture is the product of the hopes, aspirations and memories of black South Africans, and serves as the cultural force that fuels the anti-apartheid movement, linking politics and culture. This popular culture is embodied, in the film, in the music and poetry of two of its exponents; Gcina Mhlophe is a writer, performer and storyteller; Mzwakhe Mbuli is a musician and poet activist. Songololo lets them speak for themselves and presents their performances in all their strength and dynamism. (P.H.)