AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL NEW ZEALAND

Synopsis

This is the story of Joseph Shabalala, of Ladysmith Black Mumbaza fame. It covers the singer’s life from his early years in rural South Africa to his global success and later life, and recounts the difficulties he had to overcome against the apartheid regime, as well as his huge impact on world music. Filled with beautiful acapella music, the film also gives insights into the social and political context of the times as it explains how his worldwide popularity came into being.  On his death in 2020, aged 79 years, he passed on his legacy to his children, whom we also experience performing on stage as a moving finale to the film.