Several panellists during the discussion on the forthcoming “Legacy of Hope” documentary highlighted the significance of remembering our roots and how solidarity is the key for all South Africans.

The issues of unity and global solidarity were among the top points highlighted by panellists at the premiere of the documentary, which took place on Thursday at the Wave Theatre Café in Cape Town. 

Organised by Zoetic Management, in collaboration with Moja Multimedia, “Legacy of Hope, Freedom Through Solidarity: The Russia, Cuba, South African Chapter” is a new documentary exploring the crucial role of international support in ending apartheid. 

Many people gathered to hear panel members, which included the Executive Chairman of the Sekunjalo Group and guest of honour Dr Iqbal Survè, members of Parliament Bheki Radebe and Fadiel Adams, anti-apartheid activist Hilda Ndude, former deputy minister of International Relations and Cooperation and Moja Founde Marius Fransman, and Head of Journalism, CPUT, Dr Hermon Ogbamichael.

A 30-minute cut of the pilot episode, which is the first instalment of a six-part series examining the interwoven histories of South Africa’s liberation movements and the global solidarity that proved vital to their success, was played for attendees. 

The film highlights the support provided by nations like Cuba, Russia, and China, and emphasises the continued importance of such alliances in today’s world.

“Legacy of Hope” features interviews with prominent figures such as SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, former State Security minister and MK Commander Ronnie Kasrils, Human Rights Chairperson Chris Nissen, former MP Ndude, trade union leaders, and former exiles.

Fransman said that the idea for the documentary came from the feeling that whenever people gathered to commemorate events, such as the anniversary of the Freedom Charter, they often lacked the knowledge of the context and history in which those events occurred.

“That’s why it is called ‘legacy of hope’ – it’s the legacy, but it’s hope for the future. What are we telling our youth? What are we telling them about what’s taken shape in our society?

“…We said, let’s do something recognising chapters in our society, and celebrating why we are here.”

Fransman said that soon they will be going into universities and different parts of the country to screen the documentary. 

Ndude said that the solidarity highlighted in the documentary is what has kept the people of South Africa, and those who were exiled during apartheid, strong. 

“It was that (global) solidarity that received them, sheltered them, welcomed them, and established the network for them. Solidarity is the key for us as South Africans, and we must always remember who we are and where we come from.

“Because if you know your roots, of where you come from, and your roots are rooted, you’ll be able to build a very stable foundation moving forward.”

MP Radebe highlighted that South Africa is a product of solidarity, and that in moving forward, the country cannot afford to move alone.

He said that what is critical in regards to what South Africa has done is that it has ensured that the African Union is going to be represented, and has ensured that the Global South is represented.

“In moving forward, as Dr Iqbal Survé has indicated earlier, when we speak about solidarity, we must start with the solidarity within South Africa. It cannot be that in a country like ours, we can have the highest inequality in the world.”

Dr Ogbamichael said: “We have to build our current solidarity, based on the history that we have. That is what we need to teach our young people and students, where they need to know that freedom didn’t come easily. It didn’t come on a silver platter.”

“There are individuals who gave their lives, and sacrificed to get us to where we are… and there was a solidarity across Africa, including with Russia and Cuba, they also played a big role. So this is shared history. If we don’t know that history, then we don’t know where we are heading.”

He said that if we don’t have solidarity with the countries that assisted us, then there would not be multilateralism.

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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