Scott

"Masizakhe: Let Us Build Together" was filmed in South Africa in 2005/6 and highlights the mood of South Africans ten years after the end of apartheid. The film weaves powerful spoken word and music between the themes of poverty, segregation, racism, and the struggle to rebuild a nation that has been scarred by the effects of a system that regulated people to the worst possible conditions. Despite the lack of resources in South Africa today, there is a huge amount of positive energy being put forth by the youth to create popular culture and a sense of self-worth so that future generations can eliminate the hardships they are now faced with.Currently our film is making its rounds in the festivals and is having its world premier at the Pan African Film and Arts Festival in Los Angeles. It has been nominated for best documentary at PAFF."Masizakhe: Let us Build Together" is a powerful, engaging, incisive, and hopeful chronicle of the journey of South Africans to overcome centuries of oppression and a testament to the strength of the human spirit to survive and envision possibilities against great odds.

- James A. Banks, Professor and Director of Center for Multicultural Education, UW

We are using our cultural activism as a form of struggle of memory against forgetfulness and as means to excavate our past for the future...we know it is very challenging, but we are trying, we are trying...

- Thabang Queench, Student Activist, Nelson Mandela University

In times of disparity and hardship that’s when a persons real fighting spirit arises, "Masizakhe" explores the role that EVERYDAY people like educators and artist have in shaping the front of South Africa! "Masizakhe" is a powerful narration by the actual artist and educators that there is still hope and that through that collective effort change will be brought about.

– Rushay Booysen, africasgateway