1980s
What Was Happening When
1980 – Run For Your Life
While out on a cross-country run in unfamiliar territory, two friends stumble upon an illegal drug operation in the woods. Soon taken hostage by the notorious drug-lord, they face the threat of becoming drug slaves themselves. Forced to work the plantation for the man known as “Cobra”, the two friends will have to rely on one another and use their wits if they wish to defeat the armed guards holding them captive.
January
14 – The local community at Soekmekaar resists forced removal and damages the police station.
March
12 – The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) together with its sister churches for Blacks (the NGK in Afrika), Coloureds (the NG Sendingkerk) and Indians (the Reformed Church in Africa), issue a statement that the Churches will bring no objection in principle should authorities judge that circumstances justify reconsideration of the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act.
April
4 – Umkhonto we Sizwe attacks the Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg with grenades, rocket launchers and AK47s.
May
2 – Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall is banned because the government fears that it might be used as a song of liberty by black school children.
June
1 – Bombs explode at Sasol One and Two and Natref Eight at Sasolburg and Secunda, with no injuries and RM58 damage. The attack was organised by Solomon Mahlangu of the Umkhonto weSizwe Special Operations.
August
Special Branch policeman Detective-Sergeant T.G. Zondi is shot at in Sobantu Village.
October
14 – The Soweto community calls for a stayaway to protest against rent increases.
November
21 – A terrorist is killed in Chiawelo and a child is injured by police in the process.
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What Was Happening When
1980 – Impango
January
14 – The local community at Soekmekaar resists forced removal and damages the police station.
March
12 – The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) together with its sister churches for Blacks (the NGK in Afrika), Coloureds (the NG Sendingkerk) and Indians (the Reformed Church in Africa), issue a statement that the Churches will bring no objection in principle should authorities judge that circumstances justify reconsideration of the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act.
April
4 – Umkhonto we Sizwe attacks the Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg with grenades, rocket launchers and AK47s.
May
2 – Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall is banned because the government fears that it might be used as a song of liberty by black school children.
June
1 – Bombs explode at Sasol One and Two and Natref Eight at Sasolburg and Secunda, with no injuries and RM58 damage. The attack was organised by Solomon Mahlangu of the Umkhonto weSizwe Special Operations.
August
Special Branch policeman Detective-Sergeant T.G. Zondi is shot at in Sobantu Village.
October
14 – The Soweto community calls for a stayaway to protest against rent increases.
November
21 – A terrorist is killed in Chiawelo and a child is injured by police in the process.
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What Was Happening When
1980 – Mandla
When two dim-witted thieves escape from prison and ransack Mandla’s house, the young boy’s parents believe he and his friend are to blame. Determined to prove their innocence, Mandla and his pal set off in search of the true culprits.
January
14 – The local community at Soekmekaar resists forced removal and damages the police station.
March
12 – The Nederduits Gereformeerde Kerk (NGK) together with its sister churches for Blacks (the NGK in Afrika), Coloureds (the NG Sendingkerk) and Indians (the Reformed Church in Africa), issue a statement that the Churches will bring no objection in principle should authorities judge that circumstances justify reconsideration of the Immorality Act and the Mixed Marriages Act.
April
4 – Umkhonto we Sizwe attacks the Booysens Police Station in Johannesburg with grenades, rocket launchers and AK47s.
May
2 – Pink Floyd‘s Another Brick in the Wall is banned because the government fears that it might be used as a song of liberty by black school children.
June
1 – Bombs explode at Sasol One and Two and Natref Eight at Sasolburg and Secunda, with no injuries and RM58 damage. The attack was organised by Solomon Mahlangu of the Umkhonto weSizwe Special Operations.
August
Special Branch policeman Detective-Sergeant T.G. Zondi is shot at in Sobantu Village.
October
14 – The Soweto community calls for a stayaway to protest against rent increases.
November
21 – A terrorist is killed in Chiawelo and a child is injured by police in the process.
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A Short (Cool) History of South African Cinema
+ During the 1910s and 1920s, many South African films were made in or around Durban. These films often made use of the dramatic scenery available in rural KwaZulu-Natal, particularly the Drakensberg region.
+ KwaZulu-Natal was also served as the appropriate location for historical films such as De Voortrekkers (1916) and The Symbol of Sacrifice (1918)
+ Sarie Marais, the first Afrikaans-language sound film, was released in 1931. Subsequent sound releases such as Die Wildsboudjie(1948), a 1949 Sarie Marais remake, and Daar doer in die bosveld (1950) continued to cater primarily to white, Afrikaans-speaking audiences.
+ The 1950s saw an increased use of South African locations and talent by international filmmakers. British co-productions like Coast of Skeletons (1956) and American co-productions like The Cape Town Affair (1957) reflected the a growing trend of shooting in real locations, rather than using backlots.
Uthemba
KEY CREW & CAST
Director | Rudi Mayer | Cast | Lucas Tsiane |
Producer | Rudi Mayer | Muntu Ndebele | |
Writer | Rudi Mayer | Aaron Mbuli | |
DOP | Rudi Mayer | Danney Maphalala | |
Editor | N/A | Anton Sibanda | |
Sound | Frank Muller | Jerry Ndabukelwayo | |
Y.O.P | 1980’s | Patrick Ntuli | |
Running Time | 93 min | Josef Mualefe | |
Language | isiZulu | Mandy Kunene | |
Genre | Crime / Drama | Patricia Mothibedi |
SYNOPSIS
Themba is released from serving two years in prison for his best friend, Vusi. Upon his release, he discovers that Vusi, the car thief, has been sleeping with his girlfriend, Thandi. Themba decides to change his fate and become a snitch – helping the police put an end to Vusi’s on-going crime spree. Vusi has Thandi executed, blaming her for his current misfortunes. Themba moves the final chess piece into place, resulting in Vusi’s ultimate demise and capture.
Upondo No Nkinsela
KEY CREW & CAST
Director | Bernard Buys | Cast | Ndaba Mhlongo |
Producer | United Films | Masoja Mota | |
Writer | Bernard Buys | Joe Mafela | |
DOP | Ivo Pelligrini | ||
Editor | N/A | ||
Sound | N/A | ||
Y.O.P | 1980’s | ||
Running Time | 49 min | ||
Language | isiZulu | ||
Genre | Comedy |
SYNOPSIS
Pondo and Nkinsela are two haphazard, dysfunctional friends. They end up going on a series of crazy adventures together which cause havoc everywhere they go. From ruining a bride’s wedding day to destroying a client’s hairdo in a beauty salon to escaping a supposed ghost in a house, the two friends always seem to come out on top.