A new documentary about #FeesMustFall, which delves into social issues faced by South Africa’s youth and measures them against expectations for the “Rainbow Nation”, will be broadcast on MTV on Thursday evening.
The documentary is unique because it is directed by a young person, Lebogang Rasethaba. It discusses #FeesMustFall from the student’s perspective, including all of the hot topics surrounding it.
“Woke” people may not gain a lot of new information as the documentary aims to explain the commonly-used rhetoric of ‘conscious’ people. Terms and topics like “white privilege” and “patriarchy” are explained and discussed.
This documentary is the first of its kind since last year’s #FeesMustFall protest and is covered in a way that is told by the students, with many believing their voices were not adequately represented in media at the time.
Gender issues are discussed as a part of Fees Must Fall with patriarchy in society identified as something which transcends races, but aids white supremacy. Problems faced by the transgender community are also explored.
The rise in support for “Zuma Must Fall” by largely white middle-class protestors, is discussed relating to underlying race issues attached to it. The documentary argues that the Rainbow Nation is a façade that is an untrue reflection of South African society.
Race relations are debated in the documentary, which is related to issues of class and privilege. A University of Cape Town student discusses what racism and white privilege means, explaining what is meant by “black people can’t be racist.” The film also becomes personal, with a student describing the difficulty of his commute from Soweto to Wits. He often arrives late for projects, leaving his classmates questioning his seriousness.
The film is unlike any other and is the first to unite all of the different aspects of student activism today.
MTV is taking a risk by airing this controversial documentary. On the one hand, they face possible backlash from viewers put off by its challenging of white privilege. However, it could also be scrutinised for being radical enough to satisfy revolutionaries.
Related Articles:
Wits Vuvuzela, Lusiter documentary causing a storm, August 2015
Wits Vuvuzela, The Sound of Silence at WAM, March 2016
