ukurahundi just returned from a stint in Lindelani repatriation camp for illegal immigrants. You might be asking yourself how this came to be. Well, the short of it is that the men in blue asked if I was carrying my ID and I said no. They also asked me if I was a foreigner and I said yes. The sergeant in charge nodded his head and said “I thought so, your skin is so black and your facial features are so bit and bold”. Needless to say my pleas fell on deaf ears and I was whisked away to Lindelani under constant threats, jeering and accusation of taking people’s job and wives. This truly is democratic country. God bless all that live in it.

On my release I learnt that a fellow Kushite had shot commercial for the MultiChoice Vuka Awards. I could not contain myself with excitement as this added another mantle to Kush’s constant progress. Now you know that Gukurahundi is not a man wrapped in romanticized optimism. The first media release I read referred to Kush as NGO Kush based in Cape Town. My heart went out to the editor of www.kush.co.za as this meant keeping a close eye on press releases to make sure that the kollective was referred to in its full capacity.

My invite came and I told the world that my brother at Kush had been short listed for a Vuka award. I was proud and confident of victory. For those who are not aware the MultiChoice Vuka Awards are for new comers to the film making business and this platform allows them to showcase their skills by producing a commercial for an NGO. The judging panel is made up of industry leaders encompassing marketers, filmmakers, advertisers and communicators. According to MultiChoice’s chairman this is a platform for filmmakers from disadvantaged background to break into this lucrative industry. Gukurahundi is always wary of remnants comments that make it seem someone is doing you a favour.

Nevertheless, the awards day came and Gukurandi invited a dear friend to join him to this auspicious occasion. On arrival I realized that most of the attendees were white and unfamiliar to me. We mingled sipped champagne and smiled at strange faces. My impression at that time was that maybe the masses would arrive on time. I waited and waited….. Finally my mind was put at ease when the god bodies from Kush arrived in all their glory. A small part of me felt relieved.

The event began with some electrifying gumboot dancing. I quickly took an audit of the crowd and segmented them as follows:
[1] Most white people who worked in the industry and controlled the status quo
[2] Young native Afrikan aspirants who were either students or dream chasers
[3] Journalists, friends and groupies

This profile sent a know feeling through my melanin laden soul. Unathi from YFM was the MC supported by a deaf community representative who added authenticity to the event. We are equal. Entertainment was provided by Zola who I’m sure was picked because he represent that which defines our country today – the phoenix syndrome that says they are young, native Afrikan, poor but with the right white friends and supporters they can get out of the gutter and become motivational speakers who will champion the cause of democracy. Bullshit.

The finalists were announced and were made to feel like they had overcome the worst things in life. My calculating mind was at work. The quality of work was amazing and the insights applied were mind-boggling. At this point Gukurahundi realized that another Kushite had entered the competition and his entry was rooted in our community that it sent shivers down my spine. The commercials were played, 15seconds of fame was achieved and hearts started to pound – who was going to win.

Just to recap, the Vuka’s are for newcomers and should tell a compelling story regardless of production value or how pretty the picture looks. Fast forward...

To all those who hand their minds with them would have realised that the white film makers told generic stories supported by heavy weight directors and producers. The native Afrikan filmmakers on the other hand told stories from their communities and were supported by friends and believers.

On with the show… Zola was invited on stage and gave us a familiar speech about finding the right friends who will fast track your dreams and how all entrants were winners and should follow their dreams blah, blah, blah, blah, This is typical of such events. Everyone tries too hard to show that they care. Gukurahundi was sick to his under belly.

The moment everyone had been waiting for came and the winners were announced. We waited, waited, waited, waited, waited, waited, and waited… Where were the native Afrikan entrants? Why did the commercial about women abuse in our communities and how this sickness can be passed onto kids not win? Why did Kush’s entry on the effects of drugs not win?, why did the entry about hunger in Africa not win? Can someone from MultiChoice please answer us? We were all left with a familiar feeling that we were in a place that was not meant for us. Needless to say, the winners smiled and felt very South African and the black aspirants felt another brick wall closing them in.

Gukurahundi could not wait to leave that place because it was all too foreign. What it said to me was that MultiChoice has its priorities in order. Who watches Dstv, who defines creative excellence in South Africa? Who are the illuminati of SA films?

We of Afrikan descent should be masters of disappointment. We are intruders in this world of films and our stories remain our own - Only to be told in Kwaito songs, theater pieces, the Sowetan, The daily Sun, hip hop, the SABC, ghetto streets, shebeens, www.kush.co.za, and other vestibules that hold our memories, pride and commentaries.

The event has been wiped out of my memory and next year I will not waste my time unless if something like “do not open up the event to film makers without strong support to share the same space with film makers who have the support of award winning production houses and directors” has been reversed.

The only reason I wrote this piece is to say big up to Noma, Sifiso and Rapule for taking your great ideas and putting them on film for the world to see. We are not people of yesterday and through your work we are reminded of this. To all other aspiring native Afrikan filmmakers keep the creative spirit alive and do not let these awards determine your worth. You are visionaries and seers from our communities and we need you the most.
Kush Khoza is the voice behind kush.co.za; the spirit of kush kollective. he's that voice that speaks the truth in all of us.